> Photo wire: Tom Brokaw's final broadcast

Peter Jennings presented a video/photo tribute to his 'friend,' "discussing what those in anchor positions go through, as they travel around the world, reminding viewers it's not about them, but about the stories," an e-mailer notes. Jennings said he spoke to Brokaw yesterday. "We agreed that twenty years of competing with one another has been, in a word, great," he said.

Dan Rather saluted Brokaw, calling him "one of the best TV reporters in the world" and said to his "young friend" Brian Williams: "Welcome to the neighborhood." Dan has more comments in this CBSNews.com story.

> Barbara Walters called Brokaw "thoughtful, gracious and funny," and a "decent, good, respected man, and of course, a superb journalist."

> The best quote comes from Ted Koppel: "He is Huck Finn in a suit."

> Aaron Brown: Brokaw "left with the grace you would expect."

> Video: Brokaw's Final 'Nightly News' Farewell (WMV)

His final comments were perfect. He didn't go out with a bang, but it felt just right. Frazier Moore's AP lead: "After bringing viewers the news for nearly 23 years, NBC anchor Tom Brokaw signed off Wednesday expressing gratitude for what he got in return."

Tom Brokaw exuded his authority as America's preeminent news anchor as he ended his 21-year tenure on the NBC Nightly News tonight. He thanked his network "family," and reflected on his work with the Greatest Generation.

Courtesy of NBC News, here is Brokaw's sign off:

"Well the time is here.

We've been through a lot together, through dark days and nights - and seasons of hope and joy.

Whatever the story, I had only one objective: to get it right. When I failed it was personally painful and there was no greater urgency than course correction. On those occasions I was grateful for your forbearance and always mindful that your patience and attention didn't come with a lifetime warranty.

I was not alone here, of course. I am simply the most conspicuous part of a large, thoroughly dedicated and professional staff that extends from just beyond these cameras, across the country and around the world, in too many instances, in places of grave danger and personal hardship. And they're family to me.

What have I learned here? More than we have time to recount this evening but the enduring lessons through the decades are these: it's not the questions that get us in trouble. It's the answers. And, just as important, no one person has all the answers. Just ask a member of the generation that I came to know well, the men and women who came of age in the great depression, who at great personal sacrifice saved the world in World War II and returned home to dedicate their lives to improving the nation they had already served so nobly.

They weren't perfect. No generation is but this one left a large and vital legacy of common effort to find common ground here and abroad on which to solve our most vexing problems. They did not give up their personal beliefs and greatest passions but they never stopped learning from each other. And, most of all, they did not give up on the idea that we're all in this together.

We still are and it is in that spirit that I say thanks for all that I have learned from you. That's been my richest reward.

That's Nightly News for this Wednesday night; I'm Tom Brokaw; You'll see Brian Williams here tomorrow night; and I'll see you along the way."

CNN's Rudi Bakhtiar met with Fox News brass earlier this week about a high profile position at the network, a source close to the situation said. She's telling friends she has an offer, and that Roger Ailes thought she was terrific. "She's a perfect fit with Fox -- she's a great anchor and is extremely camera friendly," the source said.

MSNBC enjoyed substantial growth in primetime vs. Nov. '03, in the 25-54 demo and in total viewers, Nielsen numbers demonstrate. Between 8 and 11pm, MSNBC's #'s increased 78% in the demo. (CNN increased 33% and FNC is up 102%.) In the 7pm hour, Hardball is up 94% in the demo and 96% among total viewers; Countdown is up 128% in the demo and 90% in P2+; and Scarborough is up 76% in the demo and 68% among total viewers.

Larry King's November ratings were flat over last year, while FNC and MSNBC shows are up more than 50%. It was still CNN's highest-rated show though, averaging 1,451,000 viewers.

Compared to Nov. 03, MSNBC is up 43% in the demo and 46% in P2+ at 9pm. Fox News is up 117% in the demo and 86% in P2+. But CNN was only up 7% in the demo, and 0% among total viewers.

"It's pretty hard to be flat in an election year vs. a NON election year," an insider said. Fox & Friends beat King in the demo -- 565,000 to King's 413,000 -- despite much lower HUT levels.

Only on TVNewser: Cable news show ratings are pretty consistent. Again this month, O'Reilly is #1, H&C is #2, and the Fox Report is #3. On the Record slightly edged Special Report for the #4 spot. Larry King dropped from #7 in October to #12 in November -- but his rating held steady at 1.1. It was the Fox programs that performed better. CNN's second-highest-rated show was NewsNight, followed by Paula and Wolf. MSNBC's top show by far was Hardball; Scarborough Country and Countdown basically tied for second, with 0.4's. But MS staffers have been told to ignore ratings -- for now...

> PDF: Individual show ratings for November 2004

> Past charts: October; Third quarter

"In Nov. 04, CNN/U.S. total day increased 24%, 18% and 27% in total viewers, P25-54 and P18-49 respectively over Nov. 03," a press release said today. "The network's primetime total viewership, P25-54 and P18-49 increased 15%, 25% and 37%, respectively versus the same time period a year ago."
The press release also calls CNN the "#1 brand on Election Day," with 38 million unique viewers, the #1 Web site, and the most viewers in the P18-34 demo. CNN is also pointing to "double-digit total viewership gains" for American Morning, Inside Politics, Wolf Blitzer Reports, Lou Dobbs Tonight, Anderson Cooper 360 and Paula Zahn Now.

"Fox News Channel claimed the top eleven shows in cable news for the first time ever and beat all of its competitors combined in primetime for the third consecutive month, making November the highest rated period since the war in Iraq," the network said in a press release today, according to Nielsen Media Research.
CNN's Larry King Live slipped to number 12 with 1,194,000 viewers, "eclipsed by FNC's daytime offerings," the press release pointed out. In primetime, FNC viewership is up 70% from Nov. '03; in total day, viewership is up 56%.

Here's the transcript from Tom Brokaw's 'Today Show' appearance this morning, courtesy NBC. He discussed his family, his first flirtations with the world of broadcast journalism, his wide-ranging interviews over the years, and the most dramatic moments of his tenure as anchor. "Even as we speak people are over there changing the name plate on my door, moving stuff out," Brokaw joked during the 16-minute segment. Read it...

Tom Brokaw appeared on the Today Show this morning, for an emotional and must-see conversation with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer. Katie asked if he expected to cry tonight. "I suspect--I suspect I'll feel a little emotional," he said. A few minutes later, Brokaw choked up as Matt, Katie and members of the Nightly News staff gathered inside the Today Show studio for a champagne send-off:

LAUER: It's from a song, but nobody does it better and no one ever has, Tom. BROKAW: Well, it's very sweet. II've -- It's been a great great privilege. Thank you. COURIC: Ah. LAUER: Cheers. COURIC: Cheers. Congratulations and all the best, Tom. BROKAW: I didn't think I was going to do that. COURIC: It kind of snuck up on you.

The AP says he "struggled to maintain his composure" and was "visibly overcome with emotion."

> Countdown will re-run much of the "emotional moment" tonight. I just heard a clip of it on the radio...

MSNBC offered up its own list of candidates to replace Dan Rather last night, as only Countdown can.

"This is the CBS Evening News WITHOUT Dan Rather," the announcer said. Then Olbermann: "Get used to this. The President of CBS News says an announcement is at least a month away. And this really is the first time a network hasn't had a successor in place since ABC got rid of Harry Reasoner in 1978. So, as Rather himself would say: This race is as tight as the rusted lug nuts on a '57 Chevy."

Keith offers some "dark horse" candidates, including Martha Stewart, Kent Brockmann, Colin Powell, Andrea Mackris, Craig Kilborn, "Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy from the movie Anchorman," and William Hung. Check out the video:

> Video: Keith Olbermann's Picks For Rather's Successor (6MB WMV)

> Because it's not a busy news day: "MSNBC's Chris Matthews was sighted last night at a Connecticut Ave. Safeway "toting a giant bag of marshmallows," National Journal's Wake-Up Call! says, citing "sources."

> "CBS and NBC have refused to air a commercial from the United Church of Christ because it's 'too controversial,'" Jeff Jarvis says; and he's not pleased.

> A fire alarm started going off behind Brit Hume during his 'Fox News All-Stars' segment last night. "The same thing happened to Connie Chung on CNN several years back," an e-mailer says. "He handled it better than her...but not by much."

A few highlights from Joe Hagan's must-read NY Observer column today:

> Scott Pelley seems to be positioning himself: "I think the audience can tell the difference between someone who is a brilliant reader of the teleprompter, and someone who has the experience and who has been in the field, who has covered the stories and knows what they're doing," he says.

> John Roberts was surprised Pelley commented -- but didn't respond.

> "A number of CBS News executives were willing to campaign for Mr. Roberts -- although none would be identified or break the silence asked for by Mr. Moonves, who wants to keep the process under wraps."

There's a lot more to read...

In April 1962, when Tom Brokaw was a college student graduating from the University of South Dakota, he was offered a job by WTVJ news director Ralph Renick. He asked for "$110-120 per week;" Renick offered $100.

"You have the potential to make a great success of yourself in this business," he wrote to Brokaw. But Renick requested an evaluation of Brokaw's skills, and it wasn't pretty. "He didn't know how to operate a typewriter...never covered a news story, couldn't shoot news film and did only a passable job on the air. We were frankly disappointed," he recalls.

Renick rejected Brokaw. He ended up at KMTV in Omaha, then anchored the news at WSB-TV in Atlanta before joining the NBC family at its Los Angeles affiliate in 1966. And the rest is history. "Think of how my career might have turned out," he says now, in a WTVJ story...

(Photo from this morning's WSJ)

Dorothy Rabinowitz writes about Brokaw as the "anchor-historian:" His ability to listen and "absorb the experiences of...former combatants...propelled him into a second career as a writer after 38 years in journalism." His efforts to chronicle the Greatest Generation should not be forgotten today. More...

Verne Gay's advice to Brian Williams:

> Don't try too hard.

> Be yourself.

> Spend more time in the studio than on the road.

> Don't pander to audiences.

> Read the ratings.

> NASCAR stories on "Nightly News."

> Ignore Brokaw's advice about media writers.

"CBS is considering multiple newscasters to replace Dan Rather in the anchor's chair when he steps down in March," Variety reports, in today's most obvious story (but Drudge still hyped it!). "We are exploring every possibility right now," Les Moonves says. "After the first of the year, we are going to come to a decision and, by the way, it could be more than one person."

"With two anchors leaving a three-man race, the odd man out could be the odd man in," USA Today's Peter Johnson writes in Wednesday editions. He focuses on Peter Jennings. "ABC is in the catbird seat," Andrew Tyndall says...

> Nov. 24: "How Long Does Peter Jennings Have?"