Television: Local news ratings

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Local news ratings

Sorry to disappoint the Anonymous poster yesterday, but Fox 19 didn’t win the morning news. In fact, from 6-7 a.m., Fox 19 was fourth in the overnight Nielsens for May sweeps, which ended last night.
WLWT (Channel 5) jumped into second at 6 a.m., but at 11 p.m. fell from second (a year ago) to a distant third for the city’s only female co-anchor team. Demographics may show a different story, but the overnights don't look so hot for Sandra Ali and Sheree Paolello, given all the billboards, radio promotions, Olympics promotions, etc.
Here are the May weekday ratings. I’m still waiting on the numbers for the Sunday night sports shows.
7-6 a.m.
WKRC-TV: 4.3, 16%
WLWT-TV 3.8, 14%
WCPO-TV 3.7, 14%
WXIX-TV 3.6, 14% (Was #2 with a 3.8/16% last May)

5-6:30 p.m.
WCPO-TV 8.4, 19%
WKRC-TV 7.0, 12%
WLWT-TV 4.0, 9%
10 p.m.
WXIX-TV 9.1, 15% (Ratings about equal to last May's 10 p.m. audience split between Ch 19 (7.8/12%) and Ch 64 (1.2/2%)
11 p.m.
WKRC-TV 13.8, 27%
WCPO-TV 8.6, 17%
WLWT-TV 5.9, 12% (Was #2 with a 9.2/16% last May)

Terrific "Combat Diary " tonight
I’ve seen parts of A&E’s “Combat Diary: The Marines of Lima Company,” and it’s terrific. You really get a look at our troops – it’s all about the Ohio Marine Reserve Unit, which suffered six casualties from our area -- in Iraq that you’ve not seen. More than half of the film is video shot by the soldiers over there. Check out Howard Wilkinson’ excellent story about the film:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/NEWS01/605250381/1077
The premeire is 9-11 p.m. today. The repeats are
Friday: 1 a.m.
Saturday: 8 p.m.
Sunday: midnight and 1 p.m.
Monday: 8 a.m., 2 p.m.
Saturday, June 3: 11 a.m.

Idol surprises
To me, the most amazing aspect of the two-hour “American Idol” finale last night was how entertaining it was. Fox was smart to replay clips of the worst auditions (in the “American Idol awards”). Surprising the Clay Aiken wannabe was hilarious.
Injecting the two hours with plenty of star power –Toni Braxton, Al Jarreau, Meat loaf, Carrie Underwood, Mary J. Blige – and wasn’t Dionne Warwick terrific? – made for a great show. I was dreading sitting through the two hours, to get to the 9:57 p.m. announcement, but I really enjoyed the show. Tonight I'll catch up to the season finale of "Lost"...

60 Comments:

at 5/25/2006 12:03 PM

Anonymous said...

hey keise I was wondering why dont the 11pm news mention whats on after them. For a long time When lisa cooney worked 11pm she always mentioned that jay leno was next. Do you have any idea why they stopped that?

Thanks,
Kathleen

at 5/25/2006 12:06 PM

Anonymous said...

that dissapointing for news 5 with the 5-630 ratings and also the 11pm ratings. They never should have taken dave wagner off main anchor. I know he asked for his hours to be cut, but he was the face of the station and all of a sudden he is only doing 6pm news.

Sean

at 5/25/2006 12:58 PM

Anonymous said...

I'd change the mix of women anchoring at 11 on 5. Put in Juliette Vara instead of Sandra.

Perhaps this ratings book should be a wake up call for the folks at 1700 Young.

I'm glad Dave Wagner isn't anchoring. He looked very stiff and, sorry to say, but Ron Burgundy had more personality.

Keep it classy Cincinnati.

at 5/25/2006 1:19 PM

Anonymous said...

what news 5 should do is have vara anchor the noon newscast. I would like this lineup for 5
morning- keep it the same #2 in the ratings.
noon- vara, and beasley
5- ali, paleoello
530- hawgood, and vara
6- ali, and wagner.

this would be a newscast i would watch.

yolanda s.

at 5/25/2006 1:50 PM

Anonymous said...

Looks like the morning ratings have WKRC at #1, and everybody else at #2. That is one tight race. A 3.8 for WLWT, a 3.7 for WCPO, and a 3.6 for WXIX is a dead heat. Way too close for anyone to claim sole posession of #2. It would be interesting to see the demographic breakdowns, though.

at 5/25/2006 3:57 PM

Anonymous said...

don't get me wrong, sandra and sheree are great, but there is absolutely no variety. another male in the mix might help a little bit (courtis?) yolanda has a great lineup actually.

american idol was great...i was shocked by all of the big names, and it was very fun! except for the taylor winning part.

at 5/25/2006 6:26 PM

Anonymous said...

WOW wlwt and 700wlw teaming up WOW I didnt see that one coming but is this just another last ditch effort to get ratings and try to get them out of the cellar and what about wkrc i mean wkrc and 700wlw are clear channel and wlwt is hearst-argyle. I just cant figure and cant believe thet announced it at 618pm today between the storm reports with a little bit of news

at 5/25/2006 7:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Sandra A. never has gotten with the program.

Just the other night, she "happy talks" her seque to Ken Broo by saying "well, the Reds just couldn't do it tonight."

Broo was speechless (a minor miracle). It was the same night Griffey made the big catch and hit the game winning homer.

Give WLWT an "A" for effort, but in today's sorry state of broadcasting, the talent just isn't there. Is there anyone on the air at WLWT that can compare to the late Steve Douglas or Tom Atkins or Norma Rashid? Broo and Vogel bring stability and experience to the sports. But, I'd take Pat Barry over their weather guy. And, the traffic dude, he should be bussing tables at IHOP.

at 5/25/2006 7:48 PM

Anonymous said...

sandra's only here till her contract runs out or she gets calls from msnbc or stations like that. Mark my words sandra will be outta here in a few years and never look back.

at 5/25/2006 8:44 PM

Anonymous said...

The above poster got it right. Sandra will be done with this place once her contract is up. She is way to talented for this market. Why she left Detroit to come HERE, I'll never figure out.

Get the experience and move on to bigger and better things.

at 5/25/2006 8:48 PM

Anonymous said...

Quote: And, the traffic dude, he should be bussing tables at IHOP.

If I were you, I'd shoot him an email and tell him that. I'm sure he'd appreciate your comments.

at 5/25/2006 9:16 PM

Anonymous said...

IHOP just called. They said that comment has tainted their employees!

Seriously, those that are decent, newswise, on WLWT: John London, Michelle Hopkins, Lisa Cooney (only in the morning), Juliette Vara, Sheree Paleollo, Jonathon Hawgood and Courtis Fuller (barely).

Get rid of the rest. Make WLWT news a hard newscast, no or very little happy talk and re-establish yourselves in this market. The Lyn Tolan era did more damage to WLWT than Burt Dubrow firing the band at 1:21pm while the Braun show was still literally on the air, ending at 1:27pm.

John, don't you miss being on Live On 5 with Pat and Toria?

at 5/25/2006 11:34 PM

Anonymous said...

remember Juliette is gone in a few days so you better work fast to try to keep her around

at 5/25/2006 11:36 PM

Anonymous said...

the reason sandra left detroit is because she was doing weekend newscast. She wanted to establish herself as an anchor. I agree completley about her. She will prob book a flight for 1145. 15 minutes after the 11pm news ends and will not look back at cincinnati.

at 5/25/2006 11:49 PM

Anonymous said...

I just emailed the newsdirector at 5 my lineup.

I have tried to email sandra once and she won't answer back.

yolanda s.

at 5/26/2006 12:08 AM

Anonymous said...

i have emailed several people at news 5 and the only one yes only ONE was Kristen Cornett sniff sniff wish she was still here

at 5/26/2006 12:35 AM

Anonymous said...

Let's hear it for Steve Raleigh who completely pre-empted the entire 1st segment of Jeopardy with his Les Nesman weather window weather bulletin. Nothing had changed but thank god he blew the segment away, followed of course by several minutes of commercials, joining Jeopardy in progress. This reminded me of the previous week when he "guest-hosted" Jimmy Kimmel Live with his weather bulletins, complete with the false Tornado Warning. Bring back Todd Hunter or Bob Alan!

at 5/26/2006 7:37 AM

Anonymous said...

whenever i email jim obrien about the weather he gives me a quick response. I also tried to email sandra and havn't heard anything back from her.

at 5/26/2006 7:40 AM

Anonymous said...

Hey all,
Speaking of WLW-A and WLW-T... I thought CC instituted a rule that the personalities couldn't mention anything other than CC stations on WLW and no advertising for anyone else.

Last week, driving home from work I hear a spot on XM173 and it's Mike McConnell talking to a News 5 person about what's going to be on the news tonight. Did they change that rule or have the stations teamed up?

Thanks!
Dave in Atlanta

at 5/26/2006 8:18 AM

Anonymous said...

Hey John --

This comment relates to an earlier post about pushing Time Warner Cable to add the digital CW channel from WKRC this fall. HOW, exactly, should we do this? I've sent e-mails several times to the designated address given on Time Warner's web site over the last 2 or 3 years, and have NEVER EVER received a response. Does anyone read e-mails there? Is no one supposed to respond? Who do YOU suggest we contact with requests, comments and questions at TWC?

at 5/26/2006 9:45 AM

Anonymous said...

hey dave in atlanta read the 7th post

at 5/26/2006 6:39 PM

Anonymous said...

Responding to the comment about Sandra leaving, I wouldn't be so sure. She's engaged to Shawn Ley at WKRC and he's claimed before he really wants to stay in town: "All of my travels made two facts clear: Cincinnati is the only place I want to live and Local 12 is the only station I'd work for in town." Sandra Ali was on Cunningham today saying "this is the best place I've lived in quite a while, and I've lived in a lot of places. I love it here." Granted, this could all be a facade, but with Ley being a Dayton native, they could put down roots here. Just a thought.

at 5/26/2006 10:29 PM

Anonymous said...

The above poster has a strong argument here. Unless she gets a ridiculously nice deal from someone else national or local news...she is staying put. News 5 is lucky to have her. I put her up there with Shon Gables, formerly of WCBS2 and former Detroit anchor.

at 5/27/2006 5:23 PM

Anonymous said...

once again news 5 finishes last in almost every hour. I feel sorry for the guys at 1700 young st. The news director is the absoulute worst. Why wouldn't they resign vara.

at 5/27/2006 7:38 PM

Anonymous said...

dont know about the reason. heard she wanted to expand. why they ushered in barbie doll candice and made her an anchor....even on the internet and over looked vara, stupid move. has the news director finished coloring his ratings book yet?

if it were me, she wouldn't be gone. they should reconsider.

at 5/27/2006 10:29 PM

Anonymous said...

news 5 is going with the best looking anchors. Not the best journalist. Its a sad day.

at 5/28/2006 1:27 AM

Anonymous said...

Very sad. They've had knockouts that had a brain! Guess all you need is a smile with legs. So sad.

at 5/28/2006 2:15 AM

Anonymous said...

have you noticed on 5 sheree can't get through a newscast without stumbling over her words? do you think this has something to do with 5 being in the basement?

at 5/28/2006 2:22 AM

Anonymous said...

who's voting for wlwt's newest gimmick top 5 at 5.....
i wonder if they would let the public ever vote on the top five things they should do to improve.
oh that's right we're the dumb viewers what would we know but it's alright to play along with their game of idol wannabe voting

at 5/28/2006 2:37 AM

Anonymous said...

I agree with an earlier post about Sandra Ali never returning email or voice mail. Only a few people respond over there at channel five.
There are some talented people there but I made the switch back to 12 again!

at 5/28/2006 8:00 AM

Anonymous said...

They wanted to resign Vara... they just didn't have the position that she wanted to resign for, and that is a full-time anchor position.

Here is what I think they should have done. Create a 4pm newscast and have Vara and maybe Dave Wagner anchor the noon and 4. At least then, if Sandara or Sheree were to bolt in the future, then she could get bumped to prime.

I think she is great enough as a journalist to want to keep her around and possibly create a new position for her.

at 5/28/2006 10:46 AM

Anonymous said...

i agree with the above poster. I also love my lineup.
what news 5 should do is have vara anchor the noon newscast. I would like this lineup for 5
morning- keep it the same #2 in the ratings.
noon- vara, and beasley
5- ali, paleoello
530- hawgood, and vara
6- ali, and wagner.

yolanda s.

at 5/28/2006 11:06 AM

Anonymous said...

man i just saw 5's noon ratings what a freakin joke. then from 5-630. 12 doubled them up on the ratings.

at 5/28/2006 3:29 PM

Anonymous said...

There's still time. Rehire her and blow off one of the judge shows. With Dr. Phil as a lead-in, it gives 5 an Oprah-effect. Look at what happened when 9 started a 5 o'clock report with Randy Little and Denise Dory. The lead-in was monumental.

C'mon 5. Be inventive. Rehire Vera, self-promote the hell out of WeatherPlus, do some cross-promotion with WLW radio and run with it. Whaddya say?

Anonymous said...
They wanted to resign Vara... they just didn't have the position that she wanted to resign for, and that is a full-time anchor position.

Here is what I think they should have done. Create a 4pm newscast and have Vara and maybe Dave Wagner anchor the noon and 4. At least then, if Sandara or Sheree were to bolt in the future, then she could get bumped to prime.

I think she is great enough as a journalist to want to keep her around and possibly create a new position for her.

5/28/2006 8:00 AM

at 5/28/2006 3:55 PM

Anonymous said...

it is to late vara has already sighed elsewhere

at 5/28/2006 5:01 PM

Anonymous said...

5's noon ratings are low because of the lead-in. Look what they have to go up against. The Price Is Right and The View. There is no way Montel is going to beat those two in the ratings. They just need a better lead-in. Having a co-anchor at noon may help too.

at 5/28/2006 6:02 PM

Anonymous said...

Please tell!

Anonymous said...
it is to late vara has already sighed elsewhere

5/28/2006 3:55 PM

at 5/28/2006 7:05 PM

Anonymous said...

it should have said signed not sighed like i had it. I sighed when i saw her listing from medialine was gone maybe Kiese can let us know KIESE CAN YOU FIND OUT

at 5/29/2006 2:36 AM

Anonymous said...

channel five is just so over the top. i would not want to watch that station right before bed because they make it seem like the world is coming to an end with every story. vara was one of the best reporters at the station. it is ashame they couldn't get her back.

at 5/30/2006 7:19 AM

Anonymous said...

IHOP. Funny stuff! You sure you don't mean the guy at 12? What 5 ought to do is let the traffic guy try anchoring a newsacast or two. I like him. He's got more talent than a lot of people around town. Just watch him in the morning - he doesn't get to really shine in the evening newscasts. He's barely on long enough to say more than a few words. WLWT's morning news has really taken off since Pete, Derek, Todd and Lisa have teamed up. You crazy haters are just jealous! :-)

Mary P. in Delhi

at 5/30/2006 7:33 PM

Anonymous said...

Using the name "Mary" now Pete? It's embarassing.

at 5/30/2006 10:14 PM

Anonymous said...

Who wrote that Channel 5's traffic guy should be a bus boy! Funny. He's not bad.

What's the dish on Dave Wagner. I read he might be moving on? He's the best male they've got.

Juliette Vara is good. When is she gone? 5 should've made her a weekend anchor with Fuller or join Hawgood. Something to keep her.

Anyone else leaving soon?

at 5/30/2006 10:55 PM

Anonymous said...

How many Channel 5 people are posting these idiotic rants on this blog? It's so transparent. If you spent as much time on your newscast as you do on this blog, you might have some ratings.

at 5/30/2006 11:46 PM

Anonymous said...

Good grief. All this freaking News 5 bashing - and now you say they're doing it THEMSELVES? No, anonymous #3278367463... All of YOu are embarrassing. Is there anyone on here, other than me, who DOESN'T work at one of these stations?

All of this negativity - and then, someone posts something NICE about someone, and you think the person is posting about themselves? What a bunch of narcissistic assholes you ALL are.

at 5/30/2006 11:47 PM

Anonymous said...

I agree with the above poster. Nou doubt. That's why i watch cable TV. Screw all of you local wannabes.

at 5/31/2006 9:31 AM

Anonymous said...

It's not negativity, it's constructive criticism.

And for the record, this anonymous has never worked for WLW-T. Some of the other outlets in this market, yes but not the station that Ruth built.

at 5/31/2006 10:04 AM

Anonymous said...

Traffic Pulse is a joke. I'm watching before 9 o'clock today before I leave and I see a Pixar cartoon of the city and highway. It tells me nothing. I don't see a backup and I don't want to decipher those stupid colors. OK red means slow. Gee. Why do you need to make me decipher yur stupid map when you could just say...Here's the slow traffic on the camera. At least 12 shows the ACTUAL camera pictures of the problems. That 3-D traffic thing is totally meaningless and funny looking. Why can't they just use the Artemis cameras? Besides, TV traffic is stupid since I got there 15 minutes later and it was all gone.

at 5/31/2006 1:40 PM

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to hear what Pete says when he sees that comment.

at 5/31/2006 1:58 PM

Anonymous said...

Um, have you ever actually watched channel 5 traffic? Channel 5 uses cameras in conjunction with traffic pulse. Pete explains everything in detail - and there's more to it than just 3-d. And for a joke - well, I guess that's why every other station in town followed channel 5's lead as far as traffic goes. channel 12 is a cheap imitation. at least Pete has some kind of personality. Oh - and from what I've heard about him, he probably wouldn't respond to some random trolling moron. But i guess we'll see.

at 5/31/2006 3:46 PM

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said, "I can't wait to hear what Pete says when he sees that comment."

Just look at the posts after it and you'll see.

You people kill me. I can't believe you think a computer rendering of the highways is better than seeing the actual highways. If they use cameras then they should have during that problem this morning. They didn't. I saw their little red cars and flying computer picture. 12 always uses the cameras. 5 doesn't. I don;t see how you can even talk about personality. I wish they'd all shut up with their little funny lines and stupid chatter and just do the traffic and weather. Go to the FUnny Bone if you want to be a comedian.

at 5/31/2006 6:15 PM

Anonymous said...

Well.....apparently the viewers like it and are getting the information that they need because their ratings have been steadily climbing over the past 6 months.

I don't think anyone gives a sh*t what you think about TrafficPulse, News 5, their anchors. The numbers speak for themselves.

at 5/31/2006 9:51 PM

Anonymous said...

Does anybody give a sh*t what any of YOU think either? What climb in numbers are you talking about? The morning shows have been tied for a while now, and I guess viewers like Bob Herzog better because 12 is the ONLY station that is ahead of the pack. 9, 5, and 19 are a DEAD HEAT! Why is this so importatnt to you anyway? I'm just telling you what I think. You're taking it personally. Get a grip. I'm amazed at how FEW people actually watch morning TV. If you add up all four stations' HUT numbers, it's less than 150,000 households. WLW radio gets that many people in one hour. The amount of people listening to radio for their morning information is probably five times what TV gets.

Now get back to work in the Channel 5 newsroom.

at 6/01/2006 2:58 AM

Anonymous said...

I just think it is ridiculous how people on this board bash the heck out of News 5 for no reason. What have any of them ever done to you? It's childish and senseless.

The reason I think News 5 uses TrafficPulse maps in conjunction with the Artimis cameras to mix things up a bit, and to separate themselves from traffic on the other stations. You may not like it, but it is a unique perspective. An above poster mentioned that the other stations followed suit and came up with their own similar maps. There must be something good about it for the other stations to copy.

at 6/01/2006 7:56 AM

Unknown said...

Hey there, everyone. I know this is somewhat of an older thread, and originally I was going to take the "high road" and not bother posting - but I couldn't read all of these comments about our station and not say anything.

First off - if I ever have something to say, I don't post anonymously. Secondly - if you like getting real-time traffic information quickly and accurately, without watching it on TV or hearing it on the radio, I'd like to invite you to check out our website - www.channelcincinnati.com - where you can sign up for traffic updates via e-mail or your cell phone.

Thirdly, I know Bob Herzog fairly well. We went to Oak Hills High School together (I won't say which of us is a year older) He's a great guy! If you want to talk about a hot topic, how about the fact that us west-siders are taking over morning news? :-)

Regardless of ratings, I really enjoy working on News 5 Today. We have a very strong team, and I know I love coming in to work every day. And I really appreciate all of the positive feedback we get from viewers on a daily basis. You can always e-mail me if you have any questions - and I also invite you to check out our "Breakfast Blogs" on the News 5 Today page. Nothing as inflammatory as you'll find here, but you might enjoy them nonetheless.

Hope you have a great rest of the week. And drive safely!

at 6/01/2006 8:34 AM

Anonymous said...

Gee...that's so keen of you to post! How does a big celebrity find the time to come here and talk to us little people!

Whatever.

at 6/01/2006 9:37 AM

Anonymous said...

This blog sucks.

And whoever the dude is that keeps posting those nasty rants after every other post - get a life, man. If you don't like the way a certain station does things, don't watch. A little anger management might be in order too, I think.

CinWeekly's blogs are much more entertaining. All this board is is a sounding board for anonymous idiots who work in local TV. Kiesewetter ought to shut it down, or revamp it or something.

There's my two cents. I'm sure that random jack*ss will have something to say. But I won't see it. Later!

at 6/01/2006 10:23 AM

Anonymous said...

Wow....attitude? and...anonymous! LOL Must be an employee of CINWeekly.

We aren't complaining, we are providing constructive criticism.

I will say one thing, let's try to kill the profanity or psuedo-profanity. We all can make a point without using it. It's like yelling. Once you start yelling, the qualification of your viewpoint drops tremendously.

Keep it classy Cincinnati.

at 6/01/2006 11:21 AM

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the lecture, Mr./Mrs. Anonymous #476. I love the entertainment. It helps me get through these long days. It's also entertaining when all of the Channel 5 employees get on here and try to defend themselves and announce their "Anonymous" love for WLWT. I don't recall any particular passion for Channels 9,12, or 19 on here. Isn't that suspicious?! Channel 5 is so small-time it's funny.

But, as "Traffic Guy" says, have a great rest of the week and drive safely!

at 6/02/2006 3:56 PM

Anonymous said...

ms. vara told me that her final day is a week from today. She will not be staying in the cincinnati market, but moving on to bigger and better things.

It looks like the revolving door is back at 5

at 10/11/2007 12:06 AM

Anonymous said...

Where is Bob Alan? Last I knew he was working for FOX in Jacksonville, FL....we miss you!!

Previous Posts

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Local news ratings

60 Comments: