CBS will launch an hour-long prime-time news show early next year in which a single major news issue will be explored in depth each week. The newscast, ”48 Hours,” will be anchored by Dan Rather and, with ”60 Minutes” and ”West 57th,” bring the network`s commitment to prime-time news programming to three hours a week.
CBS Broadcast Group President Gene F. Jankowski said its format was inspired by the network`s recent ratings hit documentary, ”48 Hours on Crack Street.”
” `48 Hours` brings the immediacy of the Persian Gulf conflict, the AIDS crisis, the papal visit and other subjects of compelling national interest to television viewers,” Jankowski said. ”Each program will be shot during a 48- hour period using several CBS News correspondents, multiple crews and production teams.”
