DAN RATHER, CBS TO UNVEIL NEW SET

Dan Rather gets more elbow room, but viewers will be hard-pressed to notice much else different when “CBS Evening News” occupies its new working newsroom starting today.

Rather will still deliver news stories from a desk, the map of the world behind him. Some viewers may spot a deeper blue background and several new camera angles taking advantage of the studio’s greater spaciousness, but no major program changes are planned.

“The main consideration is continuity,” said Tom Bettag, executive producer of “Evening News.” “With more room, it will be easier to conduct interviews and do news specials.”

ABC’s “World News Tonight” with Peter Jennings will also relocate to a new, larger studio-newsroom, on Sept. 8.

“It’s the difference between a cubbyhole and a reasonably organized office,” said William E. Lord, executive producer of “World News Tonight.” “We’ll have some different camera angles for greater variety.”

Jennings’ new home is nicknamed “the bubble” because it is enclosed in glass to reduce outside noise, Lord said. It remains a newsroom set, with staffers working in the background.

“NBC Nightly News” made cosmetic changes with a new set, new theme music from composer John Williams and a new Statue of Liberty logo last fall. No more changes are planned, said Bill Wheatley, “Nightly News” executive producer.

News officials at ABC and CBS say the moves have nothing to do with the tight ratings race. This summer, all three newscasts spent time in first, second and third places.