(Newser)
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Katie Couric, as always, is upbeat, but her ratings are undeniably dismal: “CBS Evening News” numbers have dropped lower than they've been since the Nielsens began measuring audiences with “people meters” 20 years ago, the New York Times reports. The 8-month-old show is an even-more-distant third than its predecessor.
CBS executives say they expected the heightened attention to their expensive star, but they didn't expect the vitriol. The chipper Katie has proved a surprisingly polarizing figure: in a recent poll, 29% of viewers said they dislike her, while her competitors have negative ratings of under 20%. Still, execs say they've made a long-term commitment.
