Saturday, May 31, 2008

Local May sweeps numbers, Part 1

Overall analysis: While the major networks lost steam in the recently concluded May sweeps, many local stations actually saw increases year-to-year in late news and in other time periods. Translation: Viewers are tuning out the prime-time shows on the major networks, but not local programming or local news on their affiliates.

Boston: CBS-owned WBZ-TV pulled off a major upset by finishing No. 1 at 11 p.m. among adults 25-54.

Detroit: Scripps' ABC affiliate (WXYZ-TV) finished first total-day in households and key demos, but it was NBC affiliate WDIV taking the crown at 11 p.m. in households (HH) and demos. Fox O&O WJBK was third total-day (but first in the mornings in demos) while CBS-owned WWJ lagged in fourth.

Dallas: ABC affiliate WFAA-TV is back on track by sweeping its' competitors in households and demos. Fox-owned KDFW beat NBC programming at 9 p.m. with its newscast. Poor book for CBS-owned KTVT: The station for the most part finished third or fourth in HH and demos (but did finish second in HH at 10 p.m.)

Seattle: NBC affiliate KING-TV finished first in newscasts and total-day ratings in both HH and demos.

Pittsburgh (households only): CBS had better luck in Steeltown, where KDKA swept the PM newscasts while ABC affiliate WTAE-TV nabbed the AM newscasts. NBC affiliate WPXI's newscast finished second at 11 p.m. Interesting: Oprah finished third in Pittsburgh at 4 p.m. behind KDKA's news and WPXI's Judge Judy. Also: The networks are seeing erosion nationally in prime-time, but in Pittsburgh, four of the six networks (including CW and My Network TV) saw year-to-year gains. Notable here is KDKA's sis station (WPCW) 10 p.m. newscast earning a 5.5 rating.

St. Louis: CBS affiliate KMOV beat NBC affiliate KSDK (who usually dominates the St. Louis market) in the 10 p.m. news race in households.

Richmond: NBC affiliate WWBT swept all local news time periods, which included a beatdown of Oprah at 5 p.m (scroll down.)

Part 2 is coming up, so stay tuned.

No comments: