ROZ Abrams brought more than her smile when she jumped to Ch. 2 this year.
Ratings for the 11 p.m. newscast she does with Ernie Anastos have jumped 24 percent – and tied her old station, Ch. 7, for second place.
It was the best showing by Ch. 2 news – the longtime No. 3 newscast in town – in 13 years.
The relative ranking of newscasts in New York changes rarely, which makes Ch. 2’s surge into second place so unusual.
Ch. 4 – the traditional leader at 11, with Sue Simmons and Chuck Scarborough – retained the No. 1 spot.
Abrams left Ch. 7 late last year after 17 years there to join the CBS-owned station.
Roz portrayed the parting as friendly and a mutual decision.
When she arrived at Ch. 2 this spring, she was immediately re-teamed with Anastos, another former Ch. 7 anchor, at 11 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Ch. 2’s 5 o’clock newscast was also up 25 percent over 2003 numbers with Abrams and Anastos.
It’s late newscast has also been helped by CBS’ strong prime-time schedule, which finished first in May.
Shows like the “Survivor: All-Stars” finale, “CSI: Miami” and “Without a Trace” have drawn big audiences, who have stayed around to watch Ch. 2’s newscast.
Ch. 7 won the 6 p.m., 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. news races.