I couldn't agree more, the CBS News devision needs a complete reinvention. I know the idea of moving the Evening News isn't a popular one but I really think CBS should move it to 10pm for every timezone (11pm for some stations), rebrand it as the CBS National News or keep it as the Evening News branding if you want, but mainly follow the BBC format of serious stories and a strong world focus. The main thing I would incorporate from the BBC is the rotating anchor format and I would have the broadcast originate live for all timezones, New York or D.C. would handle the Eastern and Central timezones and Los Angeles would cover the Mountain and Pacific timezones, I know that would add an extra cost but it would make sense with it being on later and being live so the stories are current. Late local news would be on immediately after at 10:30 (or 11:30), and the affiliates would get an extra half hour at 5:30 / 6:30 or whenever they air the evening news which would make up for the late news being on later. I don't know what they'd do on the weekends especially on nights with sports but they could figure something out, something like a 15 min broadcast on weekends would work since sports normally goes longer than expected delaying local news.
In terms of Norah, I really liked her on CTM but have absolutely hate her on the evening news, it seems so forced and manufactured. The "breaking news" for everything is out of control. I grew up watching Katie and later Scott, on his last night I was holding in tears as he said goodbye, he ignited my passion for journalism and CBS hasn't been the same since he was forced out, Jeff grew on me and stared to find his groove when they got rid of him. In true CBS fashion Norah will be gone within 2 years from now and they'll be stuck again. Its kinda sad how they are the most watched network but in dead last place when it comes to news, they need to find a way to keep those viewers for network newscasts and that's why I really think the success of their primetime line up could be a great lead in and give CBS success at 10pm / 11pm. I know many of you don't like the idea and will bring up ad revenue, local stations, ownership groups and all kinds of other stuff but seriously, its worth a shot, they don't have much to lose at this point. The affiliates would get over it, adapt and benefit from an extra 30 min in the evening and could benefit from a strong lead in to late local news (yes I know they already have one from primetime). Local stations could even keep a news at 10pm / 11pm just on a sub channel or streaming online / CBSN local if they really wanted to keep that broadcast.
We can respectfully talk about this if anyone wishes to as long as we don't bash the idea or me.