Crystal Ball

Crystal Ball is back by popular demand. Last year, Katie Couric, ABC's multi-anchor strategies, MSNBC's ratings, and the Fox Biz Channel were popular topics for predictions. Submit your TV news predictions for the New Year, anonymously of course:

Katie Couric's television future was the most popular subject among the prediction submitted by TVNewser readers.

Many commenters don't believe that Couric will move to CBS News. "Katie will stay put... smartly realizing it's better to go out on top at Today then to be ushered out by security at CBS," one person writes. Another person suggests that she will stay at Today for two or three more years. But another commenter says "I believe that Katie will move to CBS, if not for anything else it will be something new for her to do."

All the comments are after the jump...

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As you read TVNewser today, remember: These aren't my predictions! These are (sometimes educated) guesses from anchors, producers, assistants, critics, viewers, and random TVNewser readers. Some of them are jokes; some of them are dreams that will never come true; some of them are long-standing industry rumors. Take them with many grains of salt. But look for trends: Repeated mentions of Campbell Brown's name; A sense of instability about CNN's schedule; The emphasis on talent for FNC; A lack of confidence in ABC's multi-anchor strategies; etc. Maybe we'll all be right; maybe we'll all be wrong. But it's fun to predict, isn't it?

After a year like 2005, what's in store for the broadcast networks in 2006? Many of the predictions submitted by TVNewser readers about NBC were variations on this theme: "Campbell Brown will replace Katie Couric on Today."

But if she stays at NBC, commenters have a variety of options for Sean McManus to consider. Several readers expect the CBS Evening News -- perhaps with Bob Schieffer, perhaps without -- to surpass ABC in the ratings race. "The CBS Evening News will experience substantial increases in the ratings as McManus makes some revolutionary changes," an e-mailer says. And how about a partnership between CBS and CNN?

As for ABC, many commenters are skeptical about the new multi-anchor iterations of World News Tonight and Nightline. "At least by sometime in 2007, one of the five new ABC anchors (3 Nightline, 2 WNT) will be off the show," an e-mailer states.

Read all the broadcast network predictions after the jump...

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Many e-mailers and commenters predict big things for Fox News in 2006. In addition to the Fox Business Channel (see below), some readers expect big moves with Fox News Radio, notable programming changes in early prime, and some new hires. And don't forget the War on Easter! One commenter expects Neil Cavuto and John Gibson to lose their timeslots. Another expects Giselle Fernandez to take over for Gibson. And a third says Martha MacCallum and Julie Banderas will receive more "face time" in the new year.

Commenters foresee a less rosy year for CNN. Many of the predictions involve Jon Klein losing a job, though others would be surprised to see that. Some e-mailers think The Situation Room will take off in 2006. "CNN adds 20 more televisions to The Situation Room, the other networks copy it the next day," one person jokes. Many predictions involve changes to CNN's primetime lineup. Commenters can't resist knocking Anderson Cooper and American Morning, either.

Could MSNBC become #2 in 2006? Several commenters are optimistic. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but "MSNBC's ratings will rise significantly in 2006," an e-mailer predicts. Several commenters expect MSNBC and CNBC to merge. The futures of Keith Olbermann, Rita Cosby and Rick Kaplan are popular subjects for predictions. And don't forget about " Olbermann vs. O'Reilly live on PPV..."

Dozens of cable news predictions are after the jump...

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Most readers who submitted predictions for 2006 believe News Corp. will launch the Fox Business Channel sometime in 2006. (Of course, many people said the same thing in 2005.) Fox's effect on CNBC is open for debate. All the commenters seem sure that Roger Ailes' keen eye for talent would translate to the business world. "Fox Business Channel premieres with some surprise 'big names' in the anchor chairs," one commenter wrote. Some of the names mentioned include Renay San Miguel and Jim Cramer. Maria Bartiromo's name came up repeatedly in the predictions; several observers predict that the money honey will move to Fox, but a few commenters don't believe Ailes would take her.

Also, several commenters hope that CNBC will rework its recent graphical overhaul. All the Fox Biz and CNBC predictions are after the jump...

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Along with predictions involving networks and talents, some e-mailers also forecast changes in the media business for 2006. Here's my favorite: "The news media will ask if the news media are focused more on getting ratings, more readers and more visitors by resorting to hype and sensationalism over quality and substance." Other commenters weigh in on plane emergencies; VOD and new distribution models; war coverage; a "conservative lifestyle" cable channel; and scandals. They're all after the jump...

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