Just one question. From Salt Lake City to Washington, D.C., stations have been losing viewers in droves. In February, compared to the same month a year ago, two Salt Lake stations each lost about 20 percent of their late news audience. Desperate to win viewers back, stations regularly air sweeps stories that are so silly or shameless that anyone with half a conscience should be embarrassed to pass them off as news. During the latest round in February, one Houston station warned that your pet cat could make you crazy.
Sweeps periods bring out the worst in TV news.
Even network programs aren't immune. Not the first time, of course. We've already seen live eye surgery, mammograms and a colonoscopy. Let's not even wonder what might be next. But along with the voyeurism and fear mongering, sweeps also bring out the best in TV news, as stations showcase their finest reporting.