Morning News Changes For Channel 12?

Could Channel 12 – or CBS – change your TV habits in the morning next year?

CBS News wants to pull the plug in January on WKRC-TV (Ch 12), and 42 other stations which do a mostly local newscast 7-8 a.m. against the first hour of "Good Morning America" and the "Today" show.

Here's the problem for CBS: Only 43 stations – covering just 20 percent of the national audience – carry the hybrid format. So the content seen on the two-hour show by most of the nation is dictated by one-fifth of the stations who don’t carry all of the first hour.

Here's the problem for Channel 12: The local 7-8 a.m. hour has been popular with loyal Local 12 viewers. In May "Good Morning Cincinnati" tied "Good Morning America," and beat the "Today" show, at 7-8 a.m. here. (But Fox 19's all-local newscast won the hour).

The July ratings have not be so strong. "Good Morning Cincinnati" is fourth 7-8 a.m., behind "GMA," Fox 19 and "Today." But ratings in July, when many people vacation, are the least important of the "sweeps month." Regardless, losing any local news time means losing local advertising dollars.

So what will Channel 12 do to keep its hold in this increasingly competitive morning TV landscape? Chris Sehring, Channel 12 general manager, says he's "exploring all options" with CBS.

"We want to support CBS in its efforts to improve 'The Early Show.' There is no doubt that they are fully committed to making it a far more competitive product and need the full support of affiliates. But we also remain equally committed to our local news efforts. We have a great morning product."

Do viewers want to see more of Harry Smith, Hannah Storm and Julie Chen and less of John Lomax, Anna Townsend, Bob Herzog and Steve Horstmeyer 7-8 a.m.? Or will they switch to "GMA," "Today" or the local news on Fox?

If you ran Channel 12, what would you do?