Wednesday, April 23, 2008

KETV Tops Omaha TV News Viewership

There’s no debating it this time.

Whether you measure demographics (be it 25-54 or 18-49), shares or households, KETV-7 is the clear-cut winner in the Omaha TV news race according to the latest Nielsen Media Research ratings.

The ABC affiliate is the most-watched newscast at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

WOWT-6 is a close second in many of those timeslots, while KMTV-3 saw its viewership slip – much like the performance of its parent network, CBS.

KPTM-42 can also consider itself a winner in the ratings period, which was conducted between Jan. 31 and Feb. 27. The FOX affiliate garnered more than 21,000 viewers for its 9 p.m. newscast – roughly 3,000 more than third-place KMTV drew for its 10 p.m. newscast.

Nielsen’s ratings reflect the viewing habits of more than 407,000 TV households in the Omaha metropolitan area, which includes Douglas, Washington, Cass and Sarpy Counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa. Nielsen surveys viewers in by asking them to write down the station they watched for news in a diary that is returned by mail.

The standard ratings months include February, May, July, and November – with May considered the most important.

KETV’s rise to the top completes a climb that saw it nearly as dominant in the November 2007 ratings period when it was the clear leader at 5 a.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and a close second to WOWT at 6 a.m.

At 10 p.m., KETV attracts an audience of more than 59,000 viewers, compared to 54,000 for WOWT and 18,000 for KMTV. At 5 p.m., KETV garners approximately 4,000 viewers more than WOWT and 28,000 more than KMTV. At 6 p.m., the margin between KETV and WOWT is roughly the same, with KMTV lagging about 37,000 viewers behind the front-runner.

KMTV’s troubles at 10 o’clock can be traced to a serious slump for CBS in prime time. The network began the fall season with a 10 percent decline in its total audience from a year ago and a 15 percent drop among viewers ages 18-to 49-year-old. Those numbers led to CBS’ decision to recently cut more than 160 positions at stations it owns and operates around the country (which does not include KMTV).

In the battle of local sports shows broadcast Sunday night at 10:35 p.m., WOWT’s long-running “Sunday Sports Extra” and KMTV’s “Sports Sound Off” are in a virtual dead heat in terms of overall viewers. Each draws about 16,000 viewers.

In the early morning news race, WOWT remains on the heels of KETV – particularly in the 6 a.m. time slot. KETV’s lead is only about 5,000 in overall viewership and close to 4,000 in the key 25-54 demographic.

KMTV’s switch in talent in the mornings – from veteran Mary Williams to Kerri Stowell – hasn’t resulted in better ratings. The station lags far about 18,000 viewers behind KETV at 6 a.m. and 13,000 behind WOWT.

It is a different story for KMTV’s midday news. With a strong lead-in from “The Young and the Restless” and Williams anchoring, KMTV’s noon newscast draws a hefty 21,000-plus viewers. That audience is larger than any of its other newscasts, save for Sunday nights at 10.

KPTM’s 4 p.m. newscast – which only debuted last fall – has been slow to attract viewers, though it is registering in the ratings. WOWT, the only other station to broadcast a newscast in that time slot, is No. 1 in sheer audience size, followed by “Oprah” on KMTV and “Judge Judy.” In demos, “Judge Judy” on KETV is tops, with “Oprah” and WOWT’s 4 p.m. newscast in a virtual tie for second.

Nielsen’s all-important ratings period for May begins April 24 and ends May 21.

--By Sean Weide

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

And Matt Perrault's sexuality had nothing to do with it...

Anonymous said...

ha

Anonymous said...

Matt Perrault is Gay

Anonymous said...

Hey Sean,

This "news" is MONTHS old. Way to take time out of your busy "let's track down all the Omaha radio has-beens" long enough to finally spew this out.

Anonymous said...

While WOWT is in second place, I hear that place is on the verge of tanking. I hear they've been going through some cutbacks recently and Brummer's contract isn't getting renewed.
Any truth to those rumors?

Anonymous said...

1:34---I've heard the same. Guess it goes to show that the big Sux can't keep good enough people around. Good enough meaning good enough for the market, but not for bigger. Let go of Brummer who was good enough, and keep Bartholemy who isn't good enough for any market.
WOWT--when will you learn?

Anonymous said...

You said "good enough" 5-times.

gaygaygaygaygaygaygaygaygaygaygaygaygaygyagygaygayagyagyyagyagyayggyayagygyagyygaygyagygayygayaygyggyaaygyagyagyaygyag.... gay!

Anonymous said...

I myself am a KPTM girl, Taylor Wilson followed me here just to bring me my news, the least I can do is watch him.

Dumb Anguish said...

Ouch. Poor WOWT. I think what they really need to bolster their ratings is more dancing ducks splashing in puddles of water to indicate the fact that rain showers are in the forecast.

Seriously...Could they possibly be any sillier over in that weather department?

Anonymous said...

Brummer is by far the most worthless person ever to hit the airwaves.

Don't touch the evidence moron.

Anonymous said...

Its a dark dark day in Omaha when Sheila Brummer's newscast gets comparable ratings to Judge Judy.

Anonymous said...

I myself am a KPTM guy, I follow Amanda Mueller everywhere. The least she can do is go out with me.

T. Wilson

Anonymous said...

I also get a strong lead in from the Young and Restless.

Anonymous said...

Not shocking that KM's ratings are tanking, gee could it be the main anchor team? Could it be the pain in the u know what EP who is toxic to everyone she encounters---make some anchor changes and make some changes behind the scenes too! They have a worse rating at 10pm than KPTM has at 9pm...it was only a matter of time. I was on the inside for way too long and know how the system works over there...sad.

Anonymous said...

Not shocking that KM's ratings are tanking, gee could it be the main anchor team? Could it be the pain in the u know what EP who is toxic to everyone she encounters---make some anchor changes and make some changes behind the scenes too! They have a worse rating at 10pm than KPTM has at 9pm...it was only a matter of time. I was on the inside for way too long and know how the system works over there...sad.

Anonymous said...

i agree. i can't stand to watch the new anchor team at ACTION 3RD. awful! i was one of the many who switched over to KETV when they screwed over deb & greg. who has the last laugh now?!?!?!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @ 1:08 PM said...
Hey Sean,

This "news" is MONTHS old. Way to take time out of your busy "let's track down all the Omaha radio has-beens" long enough to finally spew this out.


Wow... What exactly the WRONG thing to say if you want to encourage more posts. What blogger would read that and think "gee, that makes me want post more often." More likely, the thought is "with loser comments like that, why bother. I'd rather spend time with my kids."

Thank you so much for helping ruin it for the rest of us...

Anonymous said...

I'm a veteran of KM3 and know their problems have been going on a lot longer than CBS's "serious slump"
Executive Producers have come and gone; some good and some serious whack jobs. EPs do not seem to correlate with ratings, just provide a body to walk the plank when necessary.
I believe budgets have been slashed so much, and what money there is allocated to superficial touches such as an overheated set and graphics plus amazingly bad anchors, there is simply nothing left for news, weather, and sports.
One positive note: I am surprised to see Travis Justice in a dead heat with six--maybe it's a case of six being so bad, Travis can catch them!
As far as KETV, if they keep doing commercials and calling them news live shots, they won't be number one for long. I refer to Mike'l Severe doing live shots from the opening of Methodist Hospital's parking garage as well as the Community Sale day at Younkers.

Anonymous said...

Well, at least we now know why Travis still has a job. Of course there are many people who could cover his lame Sunday show.

Anonymous said...

Travis keeps his job because I say so.

They should let me read the news in the future. Then again, I AM the news.

So let it be written. So let it be done.

Sincerely,

The Perrault

Anonymous said...

Sean -

How is KETV doing with their expanded Sunday night newscast compared to the Sunday night sports shows?

Stack up the ratings in KETV's second half-hour of that newscast against Sports Extra and Sound-Off.

Anonymous said...

I've been watching Channel 3 news for many years and consider myself to be a loyal fan, but even I'm ready to trade in my habits and find another station. That red and black logo with the Action News 3 tag line makes me crazy!!!! It's not bad enough to see it, but they seem to say the word "ACTION" every 30 seconds. They also seem to pat their backs all the time with "you'll only see this on Action News 3" or "Action News 3 has the exclusive". I really don't care..I just want to hear the story. Also, the camera man who goes out into the "action" has some really dumb shots. They film the journalist trying to act out the story. You just have to watch it to see what I mean. Ok lastly...WHAT'S UP WITH KARRI STOWELL'S "UNIQUE" WAY OF ANNUCIATING? She always puts emphasis on the wrong words in a sentence. She has that "upspeak" where you place emphasis on the last word of the sentence. It sounds retarded!!!!!!!

Signed,
Looking for a new station even though I love C.T!

Anonymous said...

Can't we get back to the really important ta-tas discussion? Molly Graham can't report to save her life, but she is hot hot hot.

Anonymous said...

How does Graham rate on the rack-o-meter, and what channel is she on so I can check 'em out? Is she top 3, top 5, and who would be ahead of her?

Anonymous said...

Sean..take another look at the ratings for the Sunday night sports shows. I think you have been misinformed.

Anonymous said...

Sean..take another look at the ratings for the Sunday night sports shows. I think you have been misinformed.

Anonymous said...

What happened to that stud DiGiacomo??

Anonymous said...

12:04...Graham is on Channel Third. I think she's number one on the rack-o-meter. Huge, perky, and impossible to ignore.

What makes it great, she's also a terrible reporter, so we're not distracted by the words coming out of her lovely mouth.

Anonymous said...

11:48...

I noticed that about Action 3 as well. Funny how I have seen the same stories on other stations even though 3 says it's exclusive!

I do disagree with your take on Karri Stowell though. She has a unique (sexy) look. She just needs a little seasoning. She has a ton of talent.

Travis and the lead anchor team are pretty bad.

Anonymous said...

By the way, it's Kerri (just checked her website). Other than her new glasses she is far and away my favorite in Omaha.

Wait, nobody like Travis Justice here???

Anonymous said...

Guess we have two channel thirds now here in Omaha. Anyone watch Sux's live shots lately? Looks like someone got a visit from a consultant lately.
Hey Dennis, just because the consultant says it's OK to do, doesn't make it something you should do. Use the F-ing sticks you twit!
Looks like I'm going to have to get my news from KPTM now. At least I won't feel like I'm on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic with 25 foot swells.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 5:18pm...you are what is wrong with our society today. Women deserve to be treated with respect...and this does not include having this type of discussion. Why do so many men have to be complete pigs?

Anonymous said...

7:14 -- lighten up, Frances

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, Apr. 23, 1:34pm
I just got the e-mail (interally here at WOWT) regarding Shelia...
Here it is word for word...
"Sheila Brummer is no longer an employee of WOWT. She should no longer be allowed inside the building without management escort. Please respect the confidentiality of the situation."
Sent, Fri. 4/25 @ 9:59 a.m.

Anonymous said...

7:44 am, I doubt you'd want a blog containing info on your genitals. It's rude and demeaning. I agree with 7:14!

Anonymous said...

Hey 8:57 am
What's there to be confidential about?!
Eventually, people would have figured out that's she's no longer on the air!
Building escorts for ex-employees (or non-employees) of a company are standard across the board.
I'm only idiot because I stil work here, but it beats the unemployment line...

Anonymous said...

hey 8:35am---why wasn't one of those sent out when I was forced out? Maybe there was and I just wasn't told about it.
Of course Sux wants an escort with any ex-employee, being so many of them are pissed off.

Anonymous said...

No more Mike Digiacomo? Whassup with that???? Is Ketv changing things up?

Anonymous said...

test

Anonymous said...

Digiacomo left the business a while ago. It was his choice.

Anonymous said...

Ok, so what's up with Sheila Brummer??? Did I miss the memo? Did she piss someone off?

Anonymous said...

Partial AP Awards List:

http://nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8231570

Anonymous said...

ACTION blah blah blah...takes Action blah blah blah blah...Action this, Action that=Consultant mandate...same with the wierd camera stuff.

Dr. Phil sez: How's that consultant workin' for ya?

Anonymous said...

"Action 3 News"??? No, more like "Seasick 3 News"!!!

Anonymous said...

At least we know why it took so long for the blog to get this. There was no way these guys were going to write any kind of negative article against Journal unless there was some kind of spin. The spin of Action 4th's ratings drop doesn't explain its previous declines when CBS was number one prime-time the past couple of years.

A. You don't replace your long-standing anchor crew at a local news station. You also don't fire the two like-able anchors and inexplicably keep Travis Justice. How long can this station continue to be dragged down by this guy? He really must have pictures of someone doing something really bad to have survived this long. Nonetheless, it's really time for him to be run off into obscurity.

B. People don't like this Action BS. They don't buy it, don't believe it and are completely annoyed by it. Report the news with reliable people. The end.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

It's READ the news, not report it. There hasn't been any good TV "reporting" in this town for at least a generation.

Anonymous said...

7:19pm--
I agree with your comments regarding Travis Justice.
Obviously, management missed the last episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", and/or they forgot the dictum about forgetting the past.

Anonymous said...

At least Action 3 has the hottest reporters. Molli Graham, Chriss Knight and Kerri Stowell are knock-outs. They keep me watching, even though i may not be listening!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 7:19 ..Excellent post. Thanks for pointing out that KM ratings have been lame even when CBS ratings were at the top. Despite the spin presented here they havent changed very much for a long time..a point here and a point there --always a dissssssssssssstant 3rd (and now apparently 4th). It's interesting to look at tune in and tune out at 10. In other words what is the rating of 10 PM news comparted to 9PM net programming. Both KE and WOWT do pretty well with that.

Anonymous said...

1. KMTV- fire travis, change your call-use them dont hide behind action 3 news bc kmtv is pointless, revamp your image it is almost good but is missing something. Freshen up all your radio formats,(good job on 94.1) make 105.9 an active rock and it will get attention and help tv ratings.

2. WOWT- fire every one, get all new talent, revamp set, change your phone number from the mark of the beast.

3. KPTM Get the nebraska LOTTERY results show on the 9 pm like WGN, their is nothing like free money to get ratings. Do a better job of adverting MYTV and add replays of your news on it.

4. KXVO/KPTM- use one of the news times for the daily buzz, mike and juillet, inside addition, extra ect. for people who dont need local news and are tired of sitcoms mabey reduce the other viewrships
CHANGE your spanish station to LATV or someother SPANISH and English station and shows like GEORGE LOPEZ and get better viewership for the other 85% of possible population and more ad $

Anonymous said...

And one more thing for the frauds at Journal B.S. -- fire Matt Perrault.

Anonymous said...

at 6:49- want a job?

Anonymous said...

First, he/she/it needs to take some grammar and spelling lessons. Good points, but it was a brutal read with all the mistakes. Why wasn't there a suggestion on how to get Perrault on the TV and give him even more air time?

What about Becka being an anchor? Maybe J-Dub could order some crop circles for all the stations and force them to embargo all of them until broadcast time.

Anonymous said...

Sean, Where in the world did you get your info on the ratings for the sports shows? Saw a ratings book for Feb...Ross had a 20 share...Trav a 10 share. You are way off man.

Anonymous said...

ACTION 3 news has the BEST LOOKING talent because they have the SLIZZIEST and most egotistical News Director!

Anonymous said...

Channel 3 has a NEWS director???

They barely have a news DEPARTMENT...I would think they could have one of the chimps at the zoo run the show.

Anonymous said...

Who's the News Director at Affirmative Action News 3?

Anonymous said...

11:55am
Do you mean 3rd has the "sleaziest" news director?
If so, this is nothing new. In addition to Sleazy, Puppety, Kissbutty, Headchoppery, and of course Dopey have held that esteemed office in the past. The News Director at 3 seems to exist merely to ground any elements of quality into the dirt.

Anonymous said...

8:21 am - If that's how you feel about the KMTV News Director, I'd hate to hear your opinion of the KMTV Sports Director!!

Anonymous said...

KMTV has a sports director???

Anonymous said...

You mean that guy who invented Travia?

Anonymous said...

Forget this local stuff, come to the world of satellite radio and TV. Grab a board, XM and DirecTV are the wave of the future, ah bahdies.

Anonymous said...

Ron and Fez are right, satellite is the only way to go.

Anonymous said...

WOWT - Make Mallory an anchor already. Tracy is awesome, but I think she suffers from Katie Curric Syndrome. Too nice (if ratings is your sole focus). Jim Flowers is a good guy, but like somebody else said ... get rid of the ducks. This station is simultaneously stale yet refreshing because they rarely try to lure you into a story using deceptive advertising ... ie. using the lowest common denominator of sex, sex, sex verbage to sell its stories. Nice to have news that the whole family can watch.

KETV - Has to be the sleeziest station in the market. They'll find a way to label a third-grade spelling bee into something about sex on the TV screen caption or on their website. They have good reporters though. They don't need to do the slimmy crap.

KMTV - Bad move to bring in the anchors you did and ditch the good ones. I'm sure the newbies are great people, but they're not believable. They look horribly uncomfortable. Now that they're here, though, it would also be bad management to can them too. You need to build credibility with your audience. The "new" graphics are good, but KM must have hired the same sleezeball consultant that KETV hired when it changed its look-and-feel years ago. Aggressive is good, but for the love of Perrault know when to stop promoting yourself. First rule of journalism: you're not the news. You shouldn't be the news! Ypu report the news. That's it. You lose credibility big time otherwise. You're fooling yourself if you think otherwise. This goes for all metro stations.

KPTM - I personally like this station. Nice anchors. With reporters, news, etc. ... they might be the hardest working group for the money. Might be some quirky things, but it sure seems like they bust their buns. JJ in sports is whom I'm thinking of first.

Final comments ... the first station (or newspaper) that actually starts digging and reporting real news that matters again instead of these fluff-ball "is your basement really a safe place to be in during a tornado" is going to soon be the top-rated, most respected outlet. Really seems to be a void in this market right now. Nobody wants to lead. Everybody has lulled themselves into any temporary gains made in self-glorification. IF KFAB radio had better news reporting on their website (formatted more like KETV) ... did I really say that? ... they'd be the end-all of all metro news sources. Then, if they started putting solid video stories on their site with recognizable Omahans, boy they'd be dangerous as a media brand. People trust their personalities.

Anonymous said...

Lets get back to matters of importance, Molly Graham is Smokin. we need more information on this cutie

Anonymous said...

Perhaps "Action 3 News" would be doing themselves a favor by reinvigorating their morning news with someone other than Kerri Stowell. That woman is a joke, and should have a cork shoved in her mouth everytime she makes the precious "O" face. She is worthless, and OVER pronunciates all of her words. ----Is she straight out of Radio News?

Anonymous said...

KMTV just needs to close their doors...seriously, KPTM has more viewers at 9pm then they do at 10pm. LOL. I heard you can by a 10pm 30 sec. spot for $50 on KM. What is going on? I thought the economy was bad...KM has been in a depression for years. Just cut the cord. And any idea who the new ND will be at KM...who would WANT that job? And who is next to go at KM?

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