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January ’10 Ratings
By Michael Page | February 4, 2010
This past month included big news, from Scott Brown’s surprise win to the devastation in Haiti. Here’s how the ratings played out locally:
The following numbers are total viewers P2+ Monday through Friday (1/7-2/3).
5-6 AM
WCVB: 57,000
WFXT: 33,000
WHDH: 31,000
WBZ: 25,000
6-7 AM
WCVB: 105,000
WHDH: 71,000
WFXT: 65,000
WBZ: 42,000
7-9 AM
WCVB (GMA): 86,000
WHDH (Today): 69,000
WFXT (Local): 67,000
WBZ (Early): 44,000
Noon
WCVB: 111,000
WBZ: 89,000
WHDH: 69,000
5-6 PM
WCVB: 181,000
WHDH: 116,000
WBZ: 92,000
6PM
WCVB: 225,000
WHDH: 118,000
WBZ: 113,000
WFXT: 45,000
11 PM
WBZ: 153,000
WCVB: 134,000
WHDH: 128,000
WFXT: 76,000
Keep in mind that WHDH is hoping that the Winter Olympics are a ratings and advertising boon for them in February.
Topics: WBZ (Channel 4), WCVB (Channel 5), WFXT (Channel 25), WHDH (Channel 7) | 25 Comments »
February 4th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Wow, how did WBZ slip out of second place? I thought they were doing good and gaining ground.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Late at night after NECN logs off for the night at 12:59 am , I like to watch the rebroadcast news on Fox 25 at 1 am anyways.
Do the rebroadcasts get ratings also?
February 4th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
It would be interesting to compare these January 2010 figures with those of January 2009. Winter is the time of the year when TV viewership tends to peak because of the early darkness and inclement weather.
> Do the rebroadcasts get ratings also? <
From what I have seen, the overnight news rebroadcasts do get measurable ratings; but they are slight – usually a 1 or less.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
I happened to talk to a technician friend of mine who works at channel 5 and apparently the company put on a big breakfast today for everyone who works on the morning news. Apparently the deal is that not only did they win the morning news ratings as we see above, but I guess they were the only program to actually have a growing audience. And even bigger for them was the fact that they also won in the key younger demographics. I’ve only recently watched a few of their morning programs and was amazed at how they’ve changed that newscast.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
What do you mean total views 2+?
February 4th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
It just indicates what demo I am focusing on. P2+ is total viewers, but other stats are also collected.
For example, ratings data is also broken down into other demos to asses who is watching the news, such as people 18-49 (P18-49), or women 25-54 (W25-54), etc…
The key demos (18-49) are often more important for advertisers than the total viewership numbers b/c people in that age group are more valuable to them.
Hope that helps?
February 4th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Its time for Paula Ebben to move on She is holding David Wade back.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Mike…Who wins the 10pm spot? 7 or FOX25?!
February 4th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
I didn’t get the 10pm numbers, but if FOX 25 didn’t win I would fall off my chair.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
hahaha I’d agree!
February 5th, 2010 at 8:15 am
That’s so funny! Like did 7 ever do well at 10? I don’t think so. I’m sure it was 25 by a landslide.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:02 am
I’m happy to see 5′s recent slide in the morning was reversed. They escaped the David Brown debacle, IMHO. 7 must be kicking themselves seeing Randy as a ratings machine in the morning at WCVB.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
It is good to see a quality news operation such as Channel 5 rule the ratings, late night excepted, yet the latter I am sure is much driven by CBS’s powerful late night dramas as lead-ins for Ch. 4. Five’s on air personnel on each newscast seem classier and more professional than any of the competitors. Liz Brunner and Heather Unruh by far are the best female local anchors in Boston and these ratings certainly confirm Ed Harding’s popularity as a lead anchor also. Yet, the strength of the street reporters shines as well. I hope that Ch. 5 continues with a commitment to quality news and good people.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I think the fact that 5 has for as long as I’ve been around been the classiest and most awarded station certainly gives them a great foundation for the changes they’ve made, that obviously seem to be attracting audience at a time when many of our local stations are cutting back and doing less.
February 5th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Randy needs to relax.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Next to the woman who does the noon on 5, Paula Ebben from BZ is the oldest anchor at age 49.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Well, if Randy hasn’t relaxed before now, I’m sure he will at this point! I would imagine it has been a big change going to a totally different kind of station and the other end of the schedule. It’s obviously working regardless.
February 6th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
I think it had to be tough for Randy to get canned from 7 and then have to start from scratch and prove himself all over again. Hopefully this turn-around will give him confidence to “play within himself” to use a sports cliche.
I’m pretty sure the key advertiser demo is 25-54
With all the advantages of Patriots football, Grammys, and CBS prime, WBZ just squeaked out a win at 11pm. They’re really sucking wind over there.
February 6th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I have to say the the folks over at Fox Morning News must be pretty happy. Only 2,000 difference between a local show and a national show?
I’d like to see the 10pm stats as well if only to see how things change going to the 11:00pm broadcasts.
February 6th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Why would FOX25 be happy? They’re 20,000 viewers off the lead and they’re in 3rd place. They’re the only station in local coverage from 7-9am, which should give them an edge. But given four choices, they only finish ahead of the CBS Early Show, which is completely dreadful.
WOO-HOO! We’re number three! Yippee!
February 8th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
The Early Show isn’t dreadful!
February 10th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Not surprised that Channel 5 is doing so well. Take a look at their on air talent, none better in this market. Their news sets are outstanding, and broadcasting in HD doesn’t hurt. The news content is usually the best. Even their music has changed much for the better.
This is a class operation and should be congratulated. The new news director must be sensational as well.
February 11th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
To follow Will’s thoughts, I am old enough to remember the Jack Hynes-John Henning team back in the 70s when news operations at 6 expanded to 1 hour and ran from 6 to 7 PM. Channel 5 has never waivered much in its consistency and excellence. (I even remember the old Channel 5 when it was WHDH in Boston and Chet Curtis reported for them even before becoming one of their lead anchors later in the 80s. Leslie Stahl now of CBS even reported there for a while in the early 70s.) Given the general state of local news throughout the country, Channel 5′ standards over decades now is truly encouraging. The station’s commitment to news programming such as Chronicle each night is amazing.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Hi I am David from New Bedford and I watch WCVB Ch. 5 News in the morning, noon,5 PM, 6 PM 11 PM and weekend mornings and weekend evening news (when the news is on) and 11 PM SAT & SUN. Have a Nice Day
February 13th, 2010 at 11:50 am
@Chris: Seriously? I’m not trying to be over-the-top here, but The Early Show has such a bad vibe to it, like everyone knows that no one cares or watches.
And I’m not a CBS basher. I just don’t understand how the same network that can produce gems like Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes can produce crap like the Early Show and Katie Couric. The Early Show has no voice, no personality, nothing unique. They’re adrift and have been for decades. Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes have voice, personality and are wonderful programs. Couric makes me gag.