TV Sweeps Remote
After 11 of the 20 days of the February TV sweeps period it is clear there will be a mad dash to finish during several key hours of the day for the ratings title.
The sweeps period—when TV stations try to generate maximum ratings so they can charge advertisers more-will officially end February 28.
Long-time leader KMBC is winning at the key 10 p.m. and morning time slots, but losing at both the 5 and 6 p.m. periods. The likely reason for the drop-offs are poor lead-in ratings with the Doctor Phil and Doctor Oz shows.
It might also be to early to tell if the switching of meteorologists Erin Little and Lisa Teachman will impact the ratings the rest of the period.
The 5 p.m. is shaping up as a battle between KCTV and WDAF-Fox 4 in a near dead-heat at the time slot with KMBC third. At 6 p.m. Fox 4 has a commanding lead in the time period over KMBC.
It is clear that KSHB’s new VP/GM Brian Bracco will have his work cut out at the NBC affiliate with the station last at every key time period during the day and evening. Even the retirement stories by/about Elizabeth Alex and some strong investigative pieces have not moved the ratings needle.
11/20 days
OTHER RATINGS
What about the battles for 7-9am and 9pm? Given that KCWE and KSMO have newscasts battling WDAF at night, and they also continue local news when the main networks have their morning shows, it would be a good indicator as to how effective extensive local coverage is.
The ratings posted are for the main stations that have similar competition during key time slots.
9 PM IS KEY
9pm is key spot to because KSHB/KMBC/KCTV5 have Prime Time Programming on at that time. They will be more Newscast added in the future with Talk Shows being cancelled hopefully on KMCI and KCWE and KSMOTV.
WHY SWITCH?
Why did they switch Teachman/Little?
KMBC did not respond to a request to comment. I was told by an insider that Little wanted to spend more time with her family and that she can also do some reporting.
DEFAULT
Also Teachman got moved by default because only other choice was to see if maybe Grisby wanted to come back or so on.