The hard-driving Steve Schwaid became the first news director in more than 25 years to beat archrival 6ABC in the ratings at 11 p.m.

By LAURA NACHMAN
Courier Times
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Chris Blackman is the new news director at NBC 10, replacing Steve Schwaid, who took a job with the NBC affiliate in San Francisco/San Jose, Calif.

Blackman joined the station as assistant news director this summer, and has been with NBC for 16 years, including 10 in Chicago (home of the eliminated Bears) and five in Asia.

He has a tough act to follow.

The hard-driving Schwaid became the first news director in more than 25 years to beat archrival 6ABC in the ratings at 11 p.m.. Schwaid was with NBC 10 three years plus.

Of the current crop of news directors, WB17's Rich Scott has the longest tenure. He was named news director in 1996, and is followed by Carla Carpenter, who became news director of 6ABC in 1997. Scott Matthews of Fox-Philadelphia and Susan Schiller of KYW-3 came to town in 2001.

PAT ON BACK FOR CN8

Here's a big "get" for CN8. Pat Buchanan will appear live on "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" tonight at 9. The former presidential candidate will be discussing his latest book, "The Death of the West," and share his views on the current state of government.

ITALIAN DELIGHT

Watch out Carmela Soprano. Your parmesan string beans have competition from "Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen," which begins its fifth season on PBS Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The popular cooking show is presented by WHYY-TV.

START OUT YOUNG

Area high-school seniors are invited to enter the annual "Young Producer's Award" scholarship competition sponsored by the Philadelphia Regional Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Students must create a 30-second television public service announcement on the topic of "Volunteerism." The winner, who must be a high-school senior planning to enter a four-year college in fall 2002 and major in a communications-related field, will receive a $4,000 scholarship.

WEAK LINK

The daytime "Weakest Link" isn't setting the world on fire for KYW-3. In its first two weeks on the air, it is averaging a 3 rating/7 share at 4 p.m. compared to a 4 rating/9 share from "Sally Jessy Raphael" during November sweeps. Each rating point equals 28,010 homes.

CROSSOVER HIT

Studios USA has renewed "Crossing Over with John Edward" for the 2002-03 season in 65 percent of the country, with clearances including KYW-3 (weekdays, 9 a.m.) The show continues it's Scifi Channel run, as well

Tribune's new weekly hour "Ultimate Adventure Company" will air on WB17 in the fall.

Email your questions and comments to Laura at bradyresident@aol.com. Laura can be heard on WBCB 1490-AM Monday and Friday at 8:45 a.m.

Thursday, January 24, 2002