TV viewing habits are tough to break.

As an example, KMBC has been the highest rated TV station in Kansas City for years and years. Many attributed that success to having long-time on-air familiar personalities like icon Larry Moore and weatherman Joel Nichols holding down the fort.

When Moore stepped down from his anchor duties after more than 40 years, and Nichols left the station on December 31st, the outcry from viewers was loud. While Moore’s departure (he was given the title of “Anchor Emeritus” and can be brought back as needed) was seen as inevitable, the story of Nichols’ departure was the most commented one in more than 12 years on this site.

But ratings are king for television and the loss of those two veterans has not been felt in the ratings (below) for the month of January at all.

In fact, remarkably, the ratings have actually increased since their departure.

* KMBC’s 6 am hour is up 14% from a year ago - without Nichols. They are up 3.6% from November 2013.

* KMBC’s 5 p m news is up 12% from November 2013 (last book), and the station’s 6 pm is up 14% from November 2013 without Moore, and up 3% from a year ago.

* KMBC’s 10 p m news, where Moore was the linchpin for years, is up 14.5% from a year ago.

The ratings seem to clearly show that once viewers lock into a station it is very difficult to get them to change their habits. While many viewers have been very upset with the numerous changes at the Hearst-owned station they continue to go to it for news.

The important February TV sweeps period began Jan. 30 and will run through Feb. 26.

The station cut loose meteorologist Lisa Teachman (left) after seven years on Friday and many viewers voiced their displeasure at that move. Zealots even created a Facebook page to show their displeasure at the move.

If the loss of Moore and Nichols didn’t hurt ratings, it is doubtful her departure will have much of an impact as the station enters the February TV sweeps period (Jan 30-Feb. 26).

“Maybe they are watching the news and don’t care who reads the teleprompter,” says former Journalist Rebecca Tombaugh. “I didn’t even know they were gone till I read your column. Higher ratings could also mean there were more viewers who were glad to see them go.”

Glen Briggs says maybe we should wait a bit longer before saying the departures won’t impact ratings.

“One reason that may be overlooked is, how many people are turning in just to see what they are doing and who is getting replaced by whom,” he noted on Facebook. “I think give it a book or two before we see anything meaningful in the changes to ratings.”

January 2014 Ratings

4:30am
KMBC 2.9/14
WDAF 2.0/10
KCTV 1.3/7
KSHB 0.5/2

6am
KMBC 5.7/20
WDAF 4.6/16
KCTV 2.2/8
KSHB 1.3/5

5pm
KCTV 6.0/12
KMBC 5.7/11
WDAF 5.6/11
KSHB 5.0/10

6pm
WDAF 6.9/12
KMBC 6.7/12
KSHB 6.5/12
KCTV 6.5/12

10pm
KMBC 7.9/14
KCTV 5.9/11
KSHB 4.2/8
WDAF 4.2/8