No Move West, Says Rather

Dan Rather, while discussing CBS’ increased emphasis on coverage of Japan and the Pacific Rim, was asked if he thought the day might come when a network news program such as his would move West permanently to better cover the East.

It’s unlikely, he said, although “I’ve urged us to do this for years, to move to Los Angeles.

“But I’m the only person around there who believes it’s a practical idea,” he added. “Some people laugh at me, and others call for the guys in the white coats from Bellevue.”

Relocating from New York doesn’t seem to be in the cards, he said, noting that it would cost a lot of money. Another important reason: New York is still the home of the networks’ parent corporations.

“Power,” he said, “is in direct proportion to proximty.....With the corporate network headquarters in New York, it makes a lot of sense for the news divisions, all three, to remain headquartered there.”