V&W: World News Tonight No Longer At A “Distinct Disadvantage”

Reading this AP story about tomorrow’s new World News Tonight, one has to wonder what David Bauder said to Elizabeth Vargas to provoke this angry answer. He apparently raised the notion that ABC has been hurt in the ratings while she and Bob Woodruff were substitute anchors. She responded:

“This network and this show has been operating at a distinct disadvantage for eight months. We had an anchor who was sick and dying, and a death we had to deal with. We had to make a decision under terrible circumstances that none of the other networks had to deal with. Promotional possibilities were ruined for us. While NBC was pouring $8 million into promoting Brian Williams, we were not able to do anything.”

> Update: 2pm: An e-mailer says: “Jeez, Elizabeth, with such concerns about marketing, you could’ve turned up on time to the affiliates’ presentation last month…”