TELEVISION - Feb. 20, 1996

Who’s Reporting News: Minority and female correspondents were less visible on TV network news in 1995 than they were in 1994, according to a study by the Washington-based Center for Media and Public Affairs. The study marked the first time the percentage of minority and female reporters had dropped since the group began making its annual reports in 1988. The visibility of minority reporters fell most prominently at CBS, down to 18% from 24% of all reports in 1993. At ABC, minority correspondents fell to 10% in 1995 from 12% in 1994. There was no change in minority visibility at NBC--9% of the network’s reports were filed by minorities in 1995 and 1994. Overall, minority reporters presented 12% of stories, down from 14% in 1994 but up from 7% in 1990. Women reported 21% of stories last year, down from 25% in 1994 but up from 13% in 1990. The study named NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, who logged in with 295 stories, the most visible reporter of 1995. It was the first year in the study’s history that an anchor filed more stories than a correspondent. NBC’s Brian Williams came in second with 179 stories, followed by NBC’s David Bloom, who covered the O.J. Simpson trial, with 153 stories for third place. ABC anchor Peter Jennings ranked eighth with 130 stories, and CBS’ Dan Rather was No. 11 with 113 stories. CBS’ Rita Braver was the only female correspondent to make the Top 10 at No. 5; CBS’ Bill Whitaker was the only minority correspondent in the Top 10 at No. 6.

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Royal Treatment: A television production company run by Britain’s Prince Edward plans a $9-million documentary about his grandmother, the queen mother, a spokeswoman for the Ardent company said in London. The eight hourlong episodes will cover the 30 years from her marriage to Prince Albert--who became King George VI--in 1923 to the coronation of her daughter Elizabeth in 1953 after the death of George VI. “The queen mother is a much loved figure and the series will cover one of the most fascinating periods in our recent history,” the spokeswoman said. Ardent is also producing a program about the Duke of Windsor, who became King Edward VIII for a few months in 1936 before abdicating to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. George VI became king after his brother’s abdication. Edward is the youngest of the queen’s three sons and is unmarried. The queen mother is 95.