Talk all you want – and people like David Bauder will – about how television viewership since the strike is down, across the board. “ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC had nearly 9 percent fewer viewers in April and May so far than during the same period a year ago” [AP] Then again, the networks have been losing audiences year-over-year, so why blame Hollywood scribes’ neediness for a few digital dollars?

But how about some real sobering news? You know, the type that will feed the gossip chamber?

Katie Couric set a new record low!

“The [CBS Evening News] averaged 5.34 million viewers last week, breaking a record low for CBS News’ flagship show that had been set the week before, according to Nielsen Media Research. The CBS Evening News - No. 3 in a three-way competition - had nearly 2.5 million fewer viewers than No. 2.

“NBC’s Nightly News led with 8.02 million viewers last week (5.5 rating, 12 share), with ABC’s World News averaging 7.79 million (5.4, 12). CBS had a 3.7 rating and 8 share.” [AP]