There was speculation that Peter Jennings might return to the anchor chair after his struggle with cancer. He would have been the sole remnant of the "big three anchors" after Brokaw retired and Rather "retired". However, Jennings lost his fight with cancer last night.

How will this change the mindset of the big three networks' news organizations? Will they drift from the unsuccessful "main nightly anchor" model that they've carried for decades?

NBC seems to have passed the torch to Brian Williams and is maintaining status quo. CBS is in a "wait and see" pattern with Bob Schieffer (or is angrily rebelling against younger demographics)

The networks' news share has been in rapid decline since the advent of the cable news channels in the mid-'80s. The big three didn't actively fight that battle and lost. In fact, they've been reduced to a daily synopsis of the day's news that complements other sources as Tom Brokaw stated in a 2003 e-conversation with Fast Company's Ann Kreamer.

Now, the introduction of the citizen journalist on the web poses another question: Will the networks take the opportunity of this rare allignment of the planets (as all three have a fresh slate) and adapt to the rapid changes in media... or continue with business as usual?

As a cynic...my money's on the latter. But my money is also on the entity (or entities) who will take this opportunity and run with it.