Continuing our look at local May sweeps numbers:
Denver: NBC affiliate KUSA-TV swept local news (except 9 p.m. on KTVD) in all time periods. At 10 p.m., KUSA was up a share point from May 2007.
Buffalo: CBS affiliate WIVB-TV won at 11 p.m., but the big story here was NBC affiliate WGRZ-TV's 11 p.m. news show improving from its prime-time lead-in by a whopping 85 percent. ABC affiliate WKBW-TV finished in third place across the board (and this station was number one just a few years ago.)
Orlando: Cox's WFTV (ABC) finished first overall and in all news time periods.
Baltimore: This market bucked the trend of eroding prime-time ratings with viewing levels up 2 percent from last year (The article noted that prime ratings were up in the top major markets, including Chicago - news to me!)
On to the numbers... NBC-affiliated WBAL won at 11 p.m. (and all other news time periods), but CBS' WJZ-TV surged 31 percent from May 2007 in the same time period. WBAL and WJZ tied for first in total-day ratings, while troubled ABC affiliate WMAR finished third overall. Sinclair's Fox affiliate (WBFF) finished fourth, but its' news did well at 10 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio: Dispatch-owned WBNS-TV (CBS) took the May sweeps crown in all time periods, except at 6 p.m. when NBC affiliate WCMH-TV beat WBNS by the slightest of margins. Like other NBC affiliates and O&Os, WCMH's late news jumped from its' prime-time lead-in.
Cincinnati: Further to the southwest in Ohio, NBC affiliate WLWT didn't do as well as its' Columbus counterpart - the station finished third in all news time periods (fourth if you count the 6-7a.m. news hour), with CBS affiliate WKRC-TV finishing first at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Fox affiliate WXIX-TV won from 7 to 9 a.m., and won at 10 p.m. over WKRC-TV's newscast on WSTR-TV. In August, WKRC is moving the newscast to its' digital sub-channel (Channel 12.2.)
Norfolk/Portsmouth/Hampton Roads: Belo-owned ABC affiliate WVEC-TV and Lin's NBC affiliate WAVY-TV spit news leadership (WAVY won mornings and 11 p.m.; WVEC won at Noon, 5, and 6 p.m.), while CBS affiliate WTKR-TV languished in fourth place in several time periods, behind WVEC, WAVY and CW affiliate WGNT-TV. Click here to see ratings (scroll down.)
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.
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.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wings beat Pistons in TV ratings in Detroit
The Stanley Cup Finals continue to roll on the Motor City with the Red Wings vs. Sid the Kid.
Game 3 of the Detroit Red Wings-Pittsburgh Penguins series on NBC beat the competing Game 5 of the Eastern Conference NBA Finals between the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics on Wednesday in Detroit, with hockey getting an 18.8 rating and 29 share (in households) on WDIV compared to a 15.9/25 for the Pistons on ESPN.
The number would have been higher though, if it didn't have to compete with "Hockey Night in Canada" on CBC, which is available over-the-air to viewers in the Detroit market through Windsor's CBET-Channel 9, which is right across the border. Viewers who didn't have Versus (or just wanted the CBC coverage) for the first two games in Detroit turned to CBET in droves.
In Pittsburgh, the game on WPXI-TV drew a huge 33.1/47, easily dominating its' time slot.
Nationally, NBC drew 4.5 million for Game 3, up from last year's games three and five of last year's Anaheim-Ottawa final. But the game still placed fourth in the ratings.
Trivia: Before 1975, CBET was known as CKLW-TV, sister station to legendary Top 40 outlet CKLW-AM. The station signed on in 1954, and was later sold to General Tire/RKO. CKLW-AM-FM-TV were the only Canadian media outlets ever owned by an American company. That prestige came to an end in 1969, when the Canadian government forced General Tire/RKO to sell the trio.
Game 3 of the Detroit Red Wings-Pittsburgh Penguins series on NBC beat the competing Game 5 of the Eastern Conference NBA Finals between the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics on Wednesday in Detroit, with hockey getting an 18.8 rating and 29 share (in households) on WDIV compared to a 15.9/25 for the Pistons on ESPN.
The number would have been higher though, if it didn't have to compete with "Hockey Night in Canada" on CBC, which is available over-the-air to viewers in the Detroit market through Windsor's CBET-Channel 9, which is right across the border. Viewers who didn't have Versus (or just wanted the CBC coverage) for the first two games in Detroit turned to CBET in droves.
In Pittsburgh, the game on WPXI-TV drew a huge 33.1/47, easily dominating its' time slot.
Nationally, NBC drew 4.5 million for Game 3, up from last year's games three and five of last year's Anaheim-Ottawa final. But the game still placed fourth in the ratings.
Trivia: Before 1975, CBET was known as CKLW-TV, sister station to legendary Top 40 outlet CKLW-AM. The station signed on in 1954, and was later sold to General Tire/RKO. CKLW-AM-FM-TV were the only Canadian media outlets ever owned by an American company. That prestige came to an end in 1969, when the Canadian government forced General Tire/RKO to sell the trio.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Harvey Korman dies
The Chicago-born comedian, best known for his roles on The Carol Burnett Show, has died at the age of 81. The comedian died after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Korman won four Emmys and a Golden Globe award on Carol Burnett, and also appeared in numerous films, including Blazin' Saddles and the Pink Panther movies.
Korman was also was the voice of The Great Gazoo on the final season of The Flintstones.
Korman was also was the voice of The Great Gazoo on the final season of The Flintstones.
Tribune TV Critic hooks up with Tivo
Tivo announced on Wednesday a new partnership with the Chicago Tribune to offer Maureen Ryan's TV picks to users who sign up for the service in the Chicago area. Ryan is also hosting bi-monthly videos summarizing her picks.
If the move is successful, Tivo could develop more partnerships with other newspapers' TV critics, whose jobs are being eliminated as the papers are cutting expenses in a tough advertising environment.
You can find a link to Maureen Ryan's columns on the right in The Sidebar.
If the move is successful, Tivo could develop more partnerships with other newspapers' TV critics, whose jobs are being eliminated as the papers are cutting expenses in a tough advertising environment.
You can find a link to Maureen Ryan's columns on the right in The Sidebar.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
WGCI, WVAZ surge in trends
This blog usually doesn't do trends - but there is something of note - Clear Channel-owned Urban radio stations (WGCI and WVAZ - V103) surged in part 1 of the Spring trends, with WGCI taking over first place and V103 jumping to third overall. WGN dropped to second and its share actually decreased. This is surprising, given WGN's numbers usually rise when Cubs baseball begins.
Also: Bonneville's WDRV-FM (The Drive) went up, landing in a tie for 11th place.
Also: Bonneville's WDRV-FM (The Drive) went up, landing in a tie for 11th place.
Mark Madden out at ESPN's Pittsburgh outlet
Mark Madden, who is a former wrestling commentator for WCW, can now add another "former" to his resume: talk show host. Madden was fired by the Disney-owned Pittsburgh sports radio station for comments he made about Ted Kennedy, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Is there something in the state of Pennsylvania that makes radio personalities act like total jerks, or something?
Is there something in the state of Pennsylvania that makes radio personalities act like total jerks, or something?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
WISN dominates Milwaukee's ratings
... except at 10 p.m., where NBC affiliate WTMJ (despite lousy network lead-ins) won. But WISN, Milwaukee's ABC affiliate owned by Hearst-Argyle, dominated everything else. WISN won at 5 and 6 p.m. and in prime-time and total-day numbers, but finished behind WTMJ at 10 p.m. by a hair. WTMJ actually increased its rating at 10, while WISN dropped two share points.
The race for third place at 10 p.m. between Fox affiliate WITI and CBS affiliate WDJT tightened substantially with both stations virtually tied. Both were down from last year.
Finally in this same time period, WCGV's repeats of the ageless Simpsons surged 22 percent, going from a 2.7 household rating and 5 share in May 2007 to a 3.3/6 this May. Meanwhile, WVTV's King of Queens dropped 24 percent from a 2.9/5 to a 2.2/4 in the same timeframe. Both stations are owned by Sinclair.
The race for third place at 10 p.m. between Fox affiliate WITI and CBS affiliate WDJT tightened substantially with both stations virtually tied. Both were down from last year.
Finally in this same time period, WCGV's repeats of the ageless Simpsons surged 22 percent, going from a 2.7 household rating and 5 share in May 2007 to a 3.3/6 this May. Meanwhile, WVTV's King of Queens dropped 24 percent from a 2.9/5 to a 2.2/4 in the same timeframe. Both stations are owned by Sinclair.
MRC unveils CW Sunday slate
Independent studio Media Rights Capital unveiled its Sunday night schedule for The CW, and is as follows (all times Central:)
- 5:30 p.m.: In Harm's Way, a reality show in the mold of fare seen on Discovery and TLC.
- 6:30 p.m.: Surviving Suburbia, A new sitcom whose creator wrote a script, tucked it away, and forgot all about it (from the looks of it, he should have kept it in the drawer.)
- 7:00 p.m.: Valentine, Inc., a new dramedy featuring Greek gods who run a dating service.
-8:00 p.m.: Easy Money, a new Sopranos-like drama about a family of loan sharks (two of the producers are actually former producers of The Sopranos.)
The schedule targets adults 18-49 - older than The CW's female 18-34 weeknight lineup - a request made by Tribune, who owns CW affiliates in six of the top ten markets, including WGN-TV in Chicago.
The schedule also begins at 5:30 p.m. Central - harking back to the days when the three networks (ABC, NBC, and CBS) began prime-time on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. They did so until 1971, when the now-defunct Prime-Time Access Rule forced the networks to start programming at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. on Sundays (until 1975, when the FCC let the three nets reclaim the 6-7 p.m. hour.)
- 5:30 p.m.: In Harm's Way, a reality show in the mold of fare seen on Discovery and TLC.
- 6:30 p.m.: Surviving Suburbia, A new sitcom whose creator wrote a script, tucked it away, and forgot all about it (from the looks of it, he should have kept it in the drawer.)
- 7:00 p.m.: Valentine, Inc., a new dramedy featuring Greek gods who run a dating service.
-8:00 p.m.: Easy Money, a new Sopranos-like drama about a family of loan sharks (two of the producers are actually former producers of The Sopranos.)
The schedule targets adults 18-49 - older than The CW's female 18-34 weeknight lineup - a request made by Tribune, who owns CW affiliates in six of the top ten markets, including WGN-TV in Chicago.
The schedule also begins at 5:30 p.m. Central - harking back to the days when the three networks (ABC, NBC, and CBS) began prime-time on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. They did so until 1971, when the now-defunct Prime-Time Access Rule forced the networks to start programming at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. on Sundays (until 1975, when the FCC let the three nets reclaim the 6-7 p.m. hour.)
Superstation WGN changes name to WGN America
Kids' WB changes name to CW 4 Kids on same day
While were you sleeping in.... With little fanfare on Saturday, Superstation WGN changed its name to WGN America, while Kids WB' officially became CW 4 Kids. However, no programming changes took place at either network - at least not yet (WGN America's new logo resembles the old Movie Channel logo from the 1990's.) WGN America officially started using the new logo and graphics package on the network yesterday.
Meanwhile, 4 Kids Entertainment is programming The CW's Saturday Morning lineup with its' own fare beginning in September.
Monday, May 26, 2008
WBBM's new digs
This story in the Tribune Sunday features the impending move of CBS-owned WBBM-TV from its longtime home at 630 McClurg Court on the North Side's Streeterville neighborhood to Block 37 in the heart of The Loop.
McClurg Court has been home to WBBM-AM-FM-TV since 1956 and was home to the nation's first televised debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960. The facility was also home to Donahue, The Lee Phillip Show, Siskel & Ebert, and its predecessor, Ebert & Roeper (until the program moved to WLS-TV a few years ago.)
The radio stations moved out of McClurg Court in 2006.
With the move to the Loop, WBBM-TV also brings HD-produced newscasts to the station for the very first time - joining ABC-owned WLS-TV and NBC-owned WMAQ-TV as stations broadcasting news in HD, with a new street-level studio. The building also comes with a Jumbotron, where CBS programming is going to be prominently featured.
But the question is, will they come? WBBM continues to lag behind its' competitors for a number of reasons, and more than a few point out the station's lousy signal (in analog and digital) in the comments section of the story (you won't see my name there. Yours truly has learned his lesson.)
WBBM though, has taken steps to right the ship - ratings in the just concluded May sweeps have inched upward, despite the fact CBS and other networks saw ratings erosion in prime-time, partly due to the recently concluded writers' strike. And some fresh faces at the station - notably Ryan Baker and Anne State - haven't hurt.
McClurg Court has been home to WBBM-AM-FM-TV since 1956 and was home to the nation's first televised debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960. The facility was also home to Donahue, The Lee Phillip Show, Siskel & Ebert, and its predecessor, Ebert & Roeper (until the program moved to WLS-TV a few years ago.)
The radio stations moved out of McClurg Court in 2006.
With the move to the Loop, WBBM-TV also brings HD-produced newscasts to the station for the very first time - joining ABC-owned WLS-TV and NBC-owned WMAQ-TV as stations broadcasting news in HD, with a new street-level studio. The building also comes with a Jumbotron, where CBS programming is going to be prominently featured.
But the question is, will they come? WBBM continues to lag behind its' competitors for a number of reasons, and more than a few point out the station's lousy signal (in analog and digital) in the comments section of the story (you won't see my name there. Yours truly has learned his lesson.)
WBBM though, has taken steps to right the ship - ratings in the just concluded May sweeps have inched upward, despite the fact CBS and other networks saw ratings erosion in prime-time, partly due to the recently concluded writers' strike. And some fresh faces at the station - notably Ryan Baker and Anne State - haven't hurt.
Tribune meets with syndicators
Recently, The Tribune station group invited almost every syndicator in the business - CBS Television Distribution, Disney/ABC Domestic Television, Program Partners, and more - to discuss new programming strategies with new Tribune COO Randy Michaels in its Tribune Tower offices in Chicago. The station group is considering overhauling its' daytime lineup - or at least stepping back from the fare they have on their schedules now.
Currently, Tribune sublets five hours of programming a day to NBC Universal on most of its stations - featuring The Steve Wilkos Show and double-runs of The Jerry Springer Show and Maury (in Chicago, it's only three - Springer airs on Fox-owned WPWR-TV.)
Ratings for both Jerry and Maury have declined over the years, and while both programs still perform well enough to stay on stations' schedules, revenue derived from the shows are lower than other daytime programming in the marketplace because because of their controversial content - for example, it's not uncommon to have fights on Jerry three or four times an episode. Since the Janet Jackson episode at Super Bowl 38, marketers have been increasingly weary about placing ads in decidedly more raunchy fare.
Tribune is looking to move toward more mainstream court, talk, and local programming - which brings in traditional advertisers and more importantly - more dollars.
Currently, Tribune sublets five hours of programming a day to NBC Universal on most of its stations - featuring The Steve Wilkos Show and double-runs of The Jerry Springer Show and Maury (in Chicago, it's only three - Springer airs on Fox-owned WPWR-TV.)
Ratings for both Jerry and Maury have declined over the years, and while both programs still perform well enough to stay on stations' schedules, revenue derived from the shows are lower than other daytime programming in the marketplace because because of their controversial content - for example, it's not uncommon to have fights on Jerry three or four times an episode. Since the Janet Jackson episode at Super Bowl 38, marketers have been increasingly weary about placing ads in decidedly more raunchy fare.
Tribune is looking to move toward more mainstream court, talk, and local programming - which brings in traditional advertisers and more importantly - more dollars.
2007-08: The season from hell
This slogan isn't just for Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears fans... It's also used for a TV season that has been plagued by audience erosion, increases in alternative viewing options, and of course - a writer's strike. TV Week analyzes the season remembered more for viewers fleeing for the exits from prime-time television more than anything else.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
NBC revamps fall lineup
To no one's surprise, NBC has revamped its fall lineup, announced a few weeks before the upfront. The changes are:
- NBC's premiere week will now take place the week of Sept. 22 instead of after the Olympics in August. This means NBC will launch its new shows alongside the rest of the other networks (except Fox, which still plans to rollout its series in late August.)
- NBC has scrapped plans to air comedies on Tuesdays, and instead is shifting Kath & Kim to Thursday nights, to join the other comedies airing there. NBC expands The Biggest Loser to two hours (!) on Tuesdays when it returns in October.
- NBC is also adding a new reality show called America's Toughest Jobs. It'll premiere on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. (CT) for a six-week run, then moves to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 24. It replaces Deal or No Deal, which after that date, will air on Wednesdays only (However, Deal is airing as a weekday strip this fall in syndication.)
To see the schedule changes, click here.
- NBC's premiere week will now take place the week of Sept. 22 instead of after the Olympics in August. This means NBC will launch its new shows alongside the rest of the other networks (except Fox, which still plans to rollout its series in late August.)
- NBC has scrapped plans to air comedies on Tuesdays, and instead is shifting Kath & Kim to Thursday nights, to join the other comedies airing there. NBC expands The Biggest Loser to two hours (!) on Tuesdays when it returns in October.
- NBC is also adding a new reality show called America's Toughest Jobs. It'll premiere on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. (CT) for a six-week run, then moves to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 24. It replaces Deal or No Deal, which after that date, will air on Wednesdays only (However, Deal is airing as a weekday strip this fall in syndication.)
To see the schedule changes, click here.
Friday, May 23, 2008
WVON to rewind, too
WLS-AM is not the only one flashing back to the days of yesteryear... WVON-AM is also doing a Memorial Day rewind, with a flashback to the days when the black-oriented station played a lot of jazz, blues, and R&B music courtesy of Pervis Spann, Herb Kent, and "The Good Guys".
Click here to see Monday's lineup.
Click here to see Monday's lineup.
More sweeps numbers
Philadelphia: Like WLS here in Chicago, ABC-owned WPVI-TV swept away its competition in households (demos were not available.) Fox-owned WTXF also scored with its 10 p.m. news, thanks to American Idol, and managed to tie CBS-owned KYW-TV in rating in late news.
Yay for local content? NBC O&O WCAU-TV's 10! news/talk show, finished dead last in its' 2 p.m. time slot, while Tribune's WPHL-TV beat the network newscasts on NBC and CBS with Two and a Half Men repeats at 6:30 p.m.
Washington, D.C.: NBC-owned WRC-TV won at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. in total viewers - but barely - holding off a charge from ABC affiliate WJLA-TV. Of note is WRC growing 26 percent out of its' prime-time lead-in at 11 p.m. Fox-owned WTTG however, had the market's top-rated late newscast at 10 p.m. in total viewers.
Yay for local content? NBC O&O WCAU-TV's 10! news/talk show, finished dead last in its' 2 p.m. time slot, while Tribune's WPHL-TV beat the network newscasts on NBC and CBS with Two and a Half Men repeats at 6:30 p.m.
Washington, D.C.: NBC-owned WRC-TV won at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. in total viewers - but barely - holding off a charge from ABC affiliate WJLA-TV. Of note is WRC growing 26 percent out of its' prime-time lead-in at 11 p.m. Fox-owned WTTG however, had the market's top-rated late newscast at 10 p.m. in total viewers.
WLS sweeps May, but WMAQ shines in demos at 10
Staying on the subject of local news, it was a good May book for all of Chicago's news outlets -(second item) despite the fact the networks lost audience share due to the after-effects of the recent writer's strike with something for everyone to crow about: ABC-owned WLS-TV's newscasts won the May sweeps in households (second item) - however, NBC-owned WMAQ-TV did very well at 10 p.m. in the key 25-54 news demo.
CBS' WBBM-TV's ratings were up (thanks to the departure of Diann Burns?), while WGN finished first in the mornings and also did well at 9 p.m. in households and demos (despite poor lead-ins from the struggling CW.) WFLD can tout to increased ratings at 9 and 10 p.m., thanks to American Idol.
CBS' WBBM-TV's ratings were up (thanks to the departure of Diann Burns?), while WGN finished first in the mornings and also did well at 9 p.m. in households and demos (despite poor lead-ins from the struggling CW.) WFLD can tout to increased ratings at 9 and 10 p.m., thanks to American Idol.
WFLD to add 9 a.m. newscast?
Fox-owned WFLD-TV is once again considering expanding its news operation - this time to extend Good Day Chicago to 10 a.m. This comes as more and more stations are expanding local content to stay relevant as more and more viewers are getting their content from places other than traditional media sources.
And WFLD is not the only ones thinking about news expansion. Tribune's WGN-TV is also considering expanding its newscasts, with a late afternoon program possible (WFLD had a proposal on the table for a 5 p.m. newscast a few years ago.) The CW is adding first-run fare in the afternoons beginning this fall, with the possibility of adding another hour of original fare later down the road.
Weigel Broadcasting also hired some new individuals (Harvey Moshman and Randy King) recently to explore adding local content to the station.
WFLD's possible plan to add a 9 a.m. time slot isn't new - back in the 1990's, NBC-owned WMAQ-TV had a 9 a.m. local news show for a short time.
And WFLD is not the only ones thinking about news expansion. Tribune's WGN-TV is also considering expanding its newscasts, with a late afternoon program possible (WFLD had a proposal on the table for a 5 p.m. newscast a few years ago.) The CW is adding first-run fare in the afternoons beginning this fall, with the possibility of adding another hour of original fare later down the road.
Weigel Broadcasting also hired some new individuals (Harvey Moshman and Randy King) recently to explore adding local content to the station.
WFLD's possible plan to add a 9 a.m. time slot isn't new - back in the 1990's, NBC-owned WMAQ-TV had a 9 a.m. local news show for a short time.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The NHL is back on track
Ratings for the NHL Conference Finals airing on NBC over the weekend scored ratings increases from year-ago matchups in 2007.
Last Saturday's game between the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars earned a 1.5 household rating and 4 share. While that may not seem like much, it is up 25 percent from 2007's Buffalo Sabres-Ottawa Senators matchup from a year ago. NBC affiliate WDIV in Detroit scored a 14.1/34 for the game in Detroit.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers game last Sunday was up 6 percent from the comparable matchup from a year ago (Anaheim-Detroit). NBC affiliate WPXI in Pittsburgh netted a strong 26.1/46 from the game.
Both Detroit and Pittsburgh will meet in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals beginning on Saturday. Ratings are expected to be up from last year's Anaheim-Ottawa match mainly because of two stronger hockey markets, the popularity of the Red Wings, and the growing interest of hot new superstar Sidney Crosby, who plays for the Penguins.
The first two Stanley Cup games is airing on Versus; the rest are airing on NBC. Detroit viewers without cable or satellite (or Versus) can watch the first two games on CBET-Channel 9, the CBC owned-and-operated station in nearby Windsor, Ontario, Canada. CBC is carrying the entire Stanley Cup Finals.
Thought: The first think tank I wrote on this blog was critical of the NHL, the Blackhawks, and Broadcasters. Wow, what a difference eighteen months make! The NHL's ratings are up, the Blackhawks are turning it around (by being more fan-friendly, putting a competitive team on the ice, and finally putting all their games on TV), and Chicago broadcasters are making small strides in addressing community concerns (all right, it's only one thing. Broadcasters still have a lot of work to do.) But what the hey, it's a hat trick!
Last Saturday's game between the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars earned a 1.5 household rating and 4 share. While that may not seem like much, it is up 25 percent from 2007's Buffalo Sabres-Ottawa Senators matchup from a year ago. NBC affiliate WDIV in Detroit scored a 14.1/34 for the game in Detroit.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers game last Sunday was up 6 percent from the comparable matchup from a year ago (Anaheim-Detroit). NBC affiliate WPXI in Pittsburgh netted a strong 26.1/46 from the game.
Both Detroit and Pittsburgh will meet in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals beginning on Saturday. Ratings are expected to be up from last year's Anaheim-Ottawa match mainly because of two stronger hockey markets, the popularity of the Red Wings, and the growing interest of hot new superstar Sidney Crosby, who plays for the Penguins.
The first two Stanley Cup games is airing on Versus; the rest are airing on NBC. Detroit viewers without cable or satellite (or Versus) can watch the first two games on CBET-Channel 9, the CBC owned-and-operated station in nearby Windsor, Ontario, Canada. CBC is carrying the entire Stanley Cup Finals.
Thought: The first think tank I wrote on this blog was critical of the NHL, the Blackhawks, and Broadcasters. Wow, what a difference eighteen months make! The NHL's ratings are up, the Blackhawks are turning it around (by being more fan-friendly, putting a competitive team on the ice, and finally putting all their games on TV), and Chicago broadcasters are making small strides in addressing community concerns (all right, it's only one thing. Broadcasters still have a lot of work to do.) But what the hey, it's a hat trick!
David Cook wins "American Idol"
And the early overnight numbers are in: The two-hour season finale (which was surprisingly entertaining), averaged a 17.5 household rating and 27 share, down from the 19/30 the 2007 finale earned.
UPDATE: The adults 18-49 ratings are in, and Idol drew a 11.0/29, down slightly from 11.5/31 achieved for last year's finale. On the other hand, Idol drew 30.6 million viewers, compared to 29.5 million last year.
Um, what Idol decline? The show is still a powerhouse (much as yours truly hates to admit it.)
Updated at 12:19 p.m. on 2008-05-22
UPDATE: The adults 18-49 ratings are in, and Idol drew a 11.0/29, down slightly from 11.5/31 achieved for last year's finale. On the other hand, Idol drew 30.6 million viewers, compared to 29.5 million last year.
Um, what Idol decline? The show is still a powerhouse (much as yours truly hates to admit it.)
Updated at 12:19 p.m. on 2008-05-22
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