Rather quiet reaction

Within the first few hours after the announcement that Dan Rather was leaving CBS , the blogosphere was virtually silent.  The only fresh posts on Google's blog search were this and this.  You might have expected some bloggers to say "good riddance," after the way they savaged the CBS anchor for "memogate."

For the 74-year-old broadcaster, there's a whole new world.  OId-guys-in-new-media are few.  But Rather's got opportunities. 

Mark Cuban's invitation to Rather is a brilliant idea for both men.  The CBS veteran should take it.  It's not like there are lots of high-profile TV jobs anymore. Try and name three weekend Fox News anchors.

Rather should also blog, to promote his HDNet show.  He could use it to solicit audio and video contributions to the show. Simulcast (and then repeat) the show's audio on Sirius and XM. Bet, too, that Audible.com's in there pitching Rather, too.  And don't count out Yahoo TV.

New media (and advertisers) love the power of the brand name.