Word: nbc
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...first-round knockout in a scheduled ten-round match. After 9 p.m. the anchor men seemed stunned; there was little left to say. The projections were in, the landslide gaining momentum; all that remained were the interviews and the instant analysis. Frustrated, facing empty hours with few ingredients, ABC, NBC and CBS retired almost as if they were a bit ashamed of the size of the Nixon swamp...
...that way. To listen to the promotion was to believe that one of the Western world's great emotional experiences lay at the twist of a dial. The networks ran as hard as the presidential candidates. One considered itself an analgesic. "For best results," read its ad, "take NBC News." Another took to the hustings. "Vote straight CBS News. Re-elect the most trusted man in America . . . Walter Cronkite." ABC modestly reported that Howard K. Smith and Harry Reasoner would tell what went on in the polling booth "and what's coming out." All three networks emphasized citizenship...
...viewer could have registered the same plaint. For all their frantic promotion, their booming patriotism and self-congratulation, the networks gave a fatigued and indifferent performance. During the warmups, there was a moment of suspense; then the computers ratified the polls and all was over. At 8:30 p.m., NBC won the presidential prediction match by calling Nixon the victor. CBS followed about 20 minutes later. At 9:20, ABC chimed in with its prediction of a landslide...
...three networks offered disclaimers of a rat, horse or broadcast race. "It's accuracy that counts," insisted NBC Executive Producer Robert Northshield. "I didn't give one goddam who won the race. The minute I walk into the studio I always enjoy a suspension of citizenship." Still he was quick to recall that NBC had been the first to predict the Johnson victory in 1964. ABC News President Elmer Lower also demanded accuracy over immediacy-and put his network where his mouth was. Ronald Reagan, among others, had asked that broadcasters hold predictions until Western polls closed...
...MOST FUNDAMENTAL reason for the lack of exuberance in the Tiara Room was the showing of George McGovern. At 8:30 p.m., NBC projected a Nixon triumph. One hour later, all three television networks announced a Nixon victory, and predicted that the President would win by a landslide. The students and suburbanites watching the television sets scattered about the room shook their heads as state after state rolled into Nixon's camp. "I just can't believe it," one young volunteer said. Others were more bitter. A middle-aged man, with a mustache and fairly long sideburns...