No Magers Impact

I kinda like new KCBS-2 anchor Paul Magers -- he's got a strong, appealing baritone voice and a sense of humor.

After a recent story about Guvnah Arnold and ex-Gov Gray Davis trading quips at a Showtime movie screening, Magers listed a few other places he thought the duo might show up next -- voicing something we've all been thinking, What's up with Gray pretending to pal around with the man who stole his job?

But Magers, who signed a rich contract to join KCBS and move from Minneapolis (where he was a superstar), has had no impact on the station's news ratings so far.

As a matter of fact, KCBS' major newscasts actually posted declines this February sweeps -- Mager's first book at the station.

Viewers may also be tiring of Jillian Barberie: Ratings for KTTV-Fox 11's "Good Day L.A." were way down, dropping from first place in the market last February to fourth place this time out.

Overall, KABC-7 still wins every major newscast battle in which it competes, except 11 p.m., where KNBC-4 is No. 1. Meanwhile, people just weren't watching as much news at 10 p.m. KTTV won that battle, but all three stations (KTTV, KTLA-5 and KCAL-9) suffered double-digit declines.

More details on the local February sweeps here.