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October 2009 Numbers
By Michael Page | October 29, 2009
As you may know, Boston is a metered market. This means that ratings data is delivered to stations daily, as opposed to diary markets where ratings information is only available following sweeps months. Today, as it so happens, is the start of the November “sweeps” period. However, WCVB has supplied viewership numbers for this past month of October. The numbers really don’t show much change from previous ratings analysis; WCVB is the dominant station all day except for 11 PM. That prize goes to WBZ (which is also number two during most of the day).
5-6 AM
WCVB: 46,000
WBZ: 34,000
WHDH: 34,000
WFXT: 25,000
6-7 AM
WCVB: 86,000
WHDH: 69,000
WFXT: 65,000
WBZ: 57,000
7-9 AM
WCVB (GMA): 80,000
WFXT (local): 79,000
WHDH (Today): 76,000
WBZ (Early): 54,000
Noon
WCVB: 100,000
WBZ: 88,000
WHDH: 70,000
5-6 PM
WCVB: 151,000
WBZ: 104,000
WHDH: 96,000
6 PM
WCVB: 196,000
WBZ: 120,000
WHDH: 103,000
WFXT: 41,000
11 PM (10:45 PM Lead-In)
WBZ: 168,000 (203,000)
WCVB: 151,000 (131,000)
WHDH: 125,000 (137,000)
WFXT: 54,000 (126,000)
Topics: WBZ (Channel 4), WCVB (Channel 5), WFXT (Channel 25), WHDH (Channel 7) | 15 Comments »
October 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
No comparison of the 10pm news numbers? I’m curious how their total numbers compare to the 11pm numbers…
October 29th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Sorry, these came from WCVB. They don’t have news on then so I don’t have the data from the other stations. I will get more on that after sweeps in all likelihood.
I do have 10 PM numbers/comparisons from July here, and on past posts about sweeps (you can use the search box in the upper right):
http://hinghamweather.com/bostontvnews/?p=843
October 29th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I bet the 11 p.m. stats are M-Sunday and not M-F when ABC has a strong line up with Desperate Housewives and Bros and Sisters.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Hey, I was wondering, do they only count ratings within the Boston DMA, or the entire viewing area? For example, since I am a viewer from Bristol County, which we all know is outside the Boston DMA, does my rating still count?
It’d be interesting to see the comparison of Providence vs. Boston ratings in Bristol County too.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
The numbers only include the Boston DMA. Your viewership is counted towards Providence officially.
I have issues with the ratings process anyway…it seems rather unscientific since a relatively small number of people have the meters and supposedly tell stations what we (non metered people) are watching. At least they are better than the hand written diaries!!
October 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I don’t have problems with the small numbers… you’d be surprised by the statistical accuracy of 500-1000 people in reflecting the rest of the population.
10pm looked bad for WFXT… they have been down big for some reason. Perhaps Leno is more competition for WFXT viewers than is scripted drama.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Line two: what’s a “dairy” market?
October 29th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
LOL a typo, thank you!
October 30th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
A dairy market is where people come to sell cheese and milk and various other processed foodstuffs of an animal’s milk…
In all seriousness, I think it’s surprising that more people are watching Leno at quarter ’til, then going to bed/ flipping the channel. Really says at least SOMETHING about Leno, or it could just be his declining approval throughout the hour he’s on. Bleh. On the other hand, wow, look at how 25′s viewers jump! I guess people who got their essential news from 10-10:30 got out, and viewers who missed the 10 and love Fox 25 decided to switch in at 11. WBZ’s prime numbers are disappointing. They need to find ways to keep the viewer attached to their news after, uh, uh, whatever drama they have closes out.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 am
when is bz going to make a change in the morning female anchor slot.paula ebben is holding this show from really taking off.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 am
@joan: Who would be a good replacement, then?
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Hi I am David from New Bedford MA and I watch WFXT(FOX 25) News in the morning, 6 PM and 10PM+ 11PM also watch WBZ 4 (Noon) because FOX 25 does not have a noontime newscast that is the only reason I watch WBZ at noon. I think FOX 25 is # 1 in my opinion and it is just my opinion. Have a Nice Day every one
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Hi Michael Page are there numbers for 10 PM WFXT FOX 25+ cw 56 THEY ARE NOT LISTED HERE if you have them could you post the 10 PM numbers thank you.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
As I said in comment 2 I will have some later this month, but nothing right now.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
So glad to see that WCVB is doing so well they do a great Job and im glad so many other Viewers agree