October 31, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — A Los Angeles Times story previewing tonight's premiere of NBC's Rock Center With Brian Williams includes analysis from Jeffrey M. McCall, professor of communication at DePauw University. "That the show is tossed in at this point in the season makes it look like NBC is grab-bagging," Dr. McCall tells the newspaper.
The prime time broadcast newsmagazine will include contributions from veteran journalists such as Ted Koppel and Harry Smith. It will compete with popular dramas on rival networks CBS and ABC.
"This show will likely struggle to find viewers and its place in broadcast journalism," McCall predicts. "I think NBC will have to be patient."
Access the full article at the Times' website.
A 1976 graduate of DePauw, Jeff McCall is frequently called upon by major news outlets to discuss media matters and has been quoted in more than 100 newspapers. Last week, he discussed President Obama's appearance on Jay Leno's Tonight Show with the Christian Science Monitor and was recently cited in the Washington Post.
The professor is the author of Viewer Discretion Advised: Taking Control of Mass Media Influences and serves as faculty adviser to student radio station WGRE.