Walters honored

Monday, April 7, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Barbara Walters, whose interviews of statesmen and celebrities have captivated television viewers for more than 35 years, received a major broadcast award today in Las Vegas.

Walters, co-host of ABC's "20/20" newsmagazine show, tearfully accepted the 1997 Distinguished Service Award at the National Association of Broadcasters show. The convention meets through Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sands Expo Center.

"If I was in Las Vegas years ago, I wouldn't have taken odds that I would have had this kind of success," Walters said this morning. "This is a wonderful day for me."

The presentation to Walters was the centerpiece of the first major NAB session, which has drawn more than 100,000 to the city for its five-day show. The show opened with pre-convention conferences Saturday. Today was the opening of the convention's trade show, at which the implementation of digital broadcasting is expected to be a major topic.

Walters was scheduled to receive her award at a luncheon, but explained that she had to be in New York later day for an interview with Colin Powell, whom she said is expected to detail some of his future political plans.

Her interviews with politicians and entertainers have brought her recognition from a worldwide audience.

"When we did our first interviews with (former Egyptian President) Anwar Sadat and (former Israeli Prime Minister) Yitzhak Rabin, we couldn't run them in the same week, much less the same show," Walters recalled. "That gives you an idea of how far we've come.

"Of course, when I did an interview with (Cuban leader) Fidel Castro, it was third in the ratings behind a re-run of 'Barnaby Jones,' so that shows you that some things never change."

Walters said she will continue to do her "Barbara Walters Specials" and shows on the most fascinating people of the world. She also plans to produce a show called "Six to Watch" on up-and-coming personalities as well as a new daytime show.

The NAB also was scheduled to honor the cast and crew of the "Today" show today.

Following the presentation to Walters, Michael Jordan, chairman and chief executive officer of Westinghouse Electric Corp., owner of CBS, gave his views on the changing economic landscape of the broadcast industry.

Jordan said he sees three major changes as the broadcast industry enters the digital age. He said investment risks will grow and many new ventures will fail as expenses increase.

While he expects private risk capital to play a small role in financing projects, individual investors in the stock market will be a greater source for funding.

Jordan also said that consolidation within the industry will continue and that media buying practices will change as networks rediscover the demographics of their target audiences.

NAB President Edward Fritts gave a "state of the industry" address that decried the government's growing infringement on the broadcast industry.