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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Presidential Campaign Top Network News Subject In ‘96

From Wire Reports

The presidential campaign was the leading topic on the three network evening news shows in 1996 by a wide margin, pushing crime, which had led the list for three straight years, to second place.

The eighth annual such survey by the Center for Media and Public Affairs notes all 13,201 stories that were broadcast on ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts in 1996.

The yearlong race for the presidency drew 1,865 stories. Crime was second, with 1,227 stories, a drop-off that the center ascribes to the O.J. Simpson factor. While his murder trial generated 874 stories in 1995, the wrongful-death civil lawsuit produced only 144 in 1996.

Health issues (810 stories) were third last year, business and the economy fourth (597), and aviation accidents were fifth (564), the first time that category had made the center’s Top 10 list since 1989.

The coverage of TWA Flight 800 accounted for nearly half the aviation disaster category’s total.

Rounding out the top 10 topics, in order, were Russia, Bosnia, the weather, the White House scandals and Israel, each with between 300 and 400 stories during the year.

‘Roseanne’ spinoff dead

Everybody seems to agree that the reported spinoff of “Roseanne” isn’t going to happen, after all. “Roseanne” winds up its career after nine years with ABC on May 20.

The spinoff was to have taken Roseanne and her son to Las Vegas, Nev., where she would work in a hotel.

Marcy Carsey, one of the show’s producers, said ABC didn’t want to commit to more than 13 shows, so Roseanne and Carsey-Werner decided to pull the plug.

‘Raymond’ renewed

CBS has renewed “Everybody Loves Raymond,” the Ray Romano sitcom which once appeared to face likely cancellation, for 22 episodes next season.

“Everybody” had been placing around 90th in the season rankings in its 8:30 Friday time slot when the network moved it to sitcom-friendly Monday night, between “Cosby” and “Cybill.” For the week ending April 6, it tied for 26th in the Nielsen ratings.