CBS News’ Afghanistan trip proves a ratings downer, but producer makes no apologies

CBS’ Afghanistan trip unrewarded, a ratings downer

NEW YORK — Television news divisions may be thinking twice about ambitious travel plans.

That was the ominous message delivered to the “CBS Evening News” last week. The Nielsen Co. said Katie Couric’s broadcast reached just under 5 million viewers, a low point for at least two decades and probably much longer.

The week’s centerpiece was a two-day trip to Afghanistan, where some striking work was done by Couric and reporter Terry McCarthy. Each of those telecasts had fewer than 4.7 million viewers.

Executive Producer Rick Kaplan says the low ratings aren’t a surprise. He says he makes no apologies for the trip.