CBS May Decide Soon on Rather-Chung Split
CBS executives met throughout the day Friday to determine whether the “Evening News” partnership of Dan Rather and Connie Chung will continue. Sources said no decision was made, but an announcement is expected as early as Monday regarding Chung’s future at the network.
CBS executives had hoped to wait until after the annual convention of their station affiliates in early June to make an announcement. But sources said both Chung and the affiliates have been pressing for a clarification of her status.
Criticism of the Rather-Chung pairing, begun nearly two years ago, has been mounting both inside and outside the network, and network executives have conceded that the dual-anchor approach has not boosted ratings. The “CBS Evening News” runs third behind its ABC and NBC rivals.
Sources speculated Friday that Chung may leave the newscast but get a new contract and, possibly, a commitment for a new prime-time newsmagazine.
Chung’s current newsmagazine, “Eye to Eye,” has been floundering in the ratings and has not yet been renewed for the fall. CBS declined to comment.
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