Something positive happened in local TV news during the February sweeps.

And I'm not referring to audience ratings.

I didn't monitor every local newscast. That would have been a full-time job.

But the reports I saw, particularly in the 9 and 10 p.m. shows, had fewer convoluted, silly, sweeps-oriented "news" stories - the type that regularly clog newscasts in February, May and November.

Sure, stations offered the normal "good news" features designed to touch the hearts of viewers.

But investigative units - particularly Tony Kovaleski and John Ferrugia on 7News, Brian Maass and Rick Sallinger on CBS 4 and 9News' "I-Team" - came up with several informative behind-the-scenes reports.

Perhaps part of this above-average coverage was based on the fact February was a strong news month locally.

An example: Kovaleski broke the bizarre story of resigned City Attorney Larry Manzanares and his "purchased" computer.

Speaking of 7News, the McGraw-Hill-owned station continues to trail 9News and CBS 4 in overall news ratings. I'm not about to conduct a long survey on the reasons why, but I do wonder how much positive viewer input CBS 4 and 9News receive by having the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post as print partners.

Network battles

It's been a remarkable 14 months for Charles Gibson, the "old man" of the network television's news anchors.

In January 2006, the 63-year-old Gibson was continuing as co-host of Good Morning America after ABC News had passed over him as the permanent replacement for Peter Jennings on ABC World News, going instead with the younger team of Bob Woodruff and Elizabeth Vargas.

After Woodruff was severely injured in Iraq and Vargas went on maternity leave, Gibson was called on to fill the gap, as the national focus stayed on leader Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News and then shifted to Katie Couric who took over the CBS Evening News in September.

Segue to February, when ABC World News moved into first place in audience ratings, just in time to win the coveted February sweeps.

Figures during the four weeks in February show that ABC averaged 9.69 million viewers on weeknights compared with 9.65 for NBC. CBS trailed with 7.6 million.

In addition, ABC World News led in total viewers in the key 25-54 age demographic - the first double victory for the network since 1996.

NBC, keenly aware of the Gibson surge, is replacing John Reiss, the executive producer of Nightly News.

How long ABC will remain on top is anyone's guess, since the two newscasts are close in audience ratings. CBS' program, anchored by Katie Couric, remains a distant third.

Advocates of cable news and the Internet often scoff at the attention network newscasts get, calling them obsolete. Keep in mind the combined audience of the three half-hours is more than 25 million on weeknights. And the newscasts are major revenue producers for networks.

The Dark Ages (7 p.m.) really that dark? The History Channel examines the period roughly between the fall of the Roman Empire and 1000 A.D, during a two-hour special, which at times resembles a Mel Gibson historical flick.

The Dark Ages utilizes well archival art and historical recreations.

An NBC gamble?

Can an established TV drama succeed without its star?

NBC and the fans of Las Vegas will find out next fall when James Caan is no longer part of the cast. The veteran actor, who plays the surveillance boss at a major casino, is leaving the Friday night series to concentrate on feature films. Also missing will be Nikki Cox, who plays a casino hostess. She's the victim of a budget cut.

Today's nostalgia

The 10 most-watched TV series 10 years ago: ER (NBC), Seinfeld (NBC), Suddenly Susan (NBC), The Single Guy (NBC), Home Improvement (ABC), Touched by an Angel (CBS), 60 Minutes (CBS), 2 0/20 (ABC), NYPD Blue (ABC) and Frasier (NBC).

Dusty's pick for tonight

Were The Dark Ages (7 p.m.) really that dark? The History Channel examines the period roughly between the fall of the Roman Empire and 1000 A.D, during a two-hour special, which at times resembles a Mel Gibson historical flick.

The Dark Ages utilizes well archival art and historical recreations.

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