Friedman: “It’s Our Job To Figure Out” The Next Signature Element In A.M. News

New CBS News morning VP Steve Friedman says he feels a new companywide commitment to compete with NBC and ABC in the A.M. In a TV Guide Q&A, he also says:

TVGuide.com: You’ve been out of morning TV for four years. Do you think it’s changed over that time? Friedman: Yes. I think the segments are quicker. There are more people on the set, not only at our place, but at the other two. I think the signature element in the ’80s was taking trips, in the ’90s it was the studios. I don’t think there has been a signature moment for morning television in this decade. I think it’s our job to figure out what that is and to try to make it ours. I think morning TV has always been about the people who are on the air, and I don’t see any change in that. TVGuide.com: How long do you look at The Early Show before you make a move to change things? Friedman: I think it depends what the move is. There will be moves quickly from what I call a production point of view. What is on, where the commercials run, that kind of thing. That will be sooner. Overall, it’s going to take some time before I figure out exactly what it is we have to do. You really can’t make changes before you understand the ramifications of what you’re doing.

Here’s the full Q&A…

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