MEDIA / KEVIN BRASS : Channel 10 Keeps Top Spot in Local News Show Ratings

Ratings for the summer quarter generally are considered among the least important of the year, but that doesn’t diminish their importance in the eyes of those wacky, slightly demented characters that care about such things, i.e., television advertising salesmen.

In the 5 p.m. news race, KGTV (Channel 10) is ahead in both the Arbitron and Nielsen books, although it leads Channel 8 by only 1 rating point in the Arbitron book. Channel 39 is holding steady with a dismal 4 rating in both books.

Channel 10 has a similar lead at 11 p.m., although the Nielsen book shows only two ratings points separating Channel 10 in first and Channel 39 in third. Considering Channel 10 has the pitiful,

third-place ABC network schedule as a lead-in, they can only be happy at the 11 p.m. results.

Channel 10 was particularly pleased with the ratings for its morning schmooze-fest, “Inside San Diego,” which doubled its rating from the show’s debut last year. When the show went on the air, the station said it would get a year tryout. It now has “permanent” status on the schedule.

The other local ratings battle of note is at 7 p.m. Channel 10’s “A Current Affair,” “P.M. Magazine” on Channel 8 and “Wheel of Fortune” on Channel 39 are in a virtual dead heat. All three shows will return at 7 p.m. in the new season, setting up a ratings showdown of sorts.

Noticeably absent from Channel 39’s new line-up, which begins tonight, is the much-hyped “U.S.A. Today.”

“We stuck with it longer than most,” said Channel 39 program director Penny Martin. “We gave it a whole year.”

Instead, Channel 39 has purchased the tabloid show “Inside Edition,” which will air at 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. “Jeopardy” has been moved to 6:30 p.m.

Channel 10 has moved “Win, Lose or Draw” to 3:30 p.m. to make room for “Family Feud” at 7:30 p.m.

One major question arises from the announcement that Fox Television’s sweaty “Cops” will be taping for nine weeks with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department: Why San Diego? More specifically, why the Sheriff’s Department?

The obvious cynical hypothesis is that they’re coming to San Diego because the department was one of the few willing to give the show permission to pester its officers for nine weeks.

Not so, said a Fox spokesman, when presented with this theory. The show has never been turned down by a police department, as far as he knows. The variety of operations, including the “border patrol, the beach search and rescue team, and the jails” made the Sheriff’s Department a perfect subject, he said.

It was pointed out that deputies don’t patrol the border.

“But they do patrol the backcountry,” he said. “San Diego is an international city.”

But the deputies don’t patrol the city . . . Never mind.

Channel 39’s news promotion with a sporting goods store last week rates a 10 on the cheesy scale. With Sports Guy Jim Laslavic acting as huckster, prizes were given away during the sports segments. That’s the Channel 39 news team, “bringing it straight to you,” with a little blatant peddling thrown in. . . .

Inside sources say there is a “75% chance” KKLQ (Q106) Morning Guy Terry McKeever soon will return to WRBQ in Tampa, which is owned by Edens Broadcasting, the same company that owns Q106. McKeever helped pioneer the “zoo” concept at the Tampa station, before taking the job with Q106 three years ago. Q106 is actively seeking a new morning team. . . . McKeever’s old partner, the recently fired Jack Murphy, is reportedly heading to WQXI in Atlanta, the station headed by former KSON General Manager Clarke Brown. . . .

KIFM (98.1) has dumped program director Steve Huntington for Bob O’Conner, one of the original creators of KIFM’s “Lites Out” format. Currently with WNUA, a New Age station in Chicago, O’Conner will have the title of vice president of programming. “We’re a growing company,” said General Manager Bruce Walton, a not-so-subtle hint that his company is looking to buy more stations. “We needed somebody here with major market experience.” . . .

Stacy Taylor was sent home by KSDO management before his afternoon show last Wednesday, sending staff scrambling for a last-minute fill-in. “I was told I was getting too emotional about things,” Taylor said. He was back on the air Thursday, the day a San Diego Reader article appeared accurately detailing his frustrations with the station. The Chicago-bound Taylor wanted to stay at KSDO, but never got a satisfactory contract offer. Now he’s anxious to move on, but he feels the station is dragging its feet finding a replacement, especially since their contract offer suggested he was easy to replace. His contract with KSDO runs for another three weeks. . . .

A hearing on National Labor Relations Board charges of unfair bargaining practices against the Union Tribune Publishing Company has been postponed until Sept. 25. Meanwhile, there has been some serious progress in the Newspaper Guild’s struggle to get a new contract from the U-T. The union and management have agreed on “management rights” wording, a major stumbling block. Several sticky issues remain, though, including language to ensure the security of the Guild and retroactive pay. Guild members have been working without a contract for two years. . . .

After Michael Reagan’s much ballyhooed arrival at KSDO in January, he has become practically a nonentity at the station. He was kicked off the morning news and switched to weekends, and, despite the station’s rhetoric, it was hardly a promotion. It certainly is not a plum assignment during football season, since his show will be preempted by games almost every Saturday and Sunday. And when they need a fill-in for other shows, Reagan’s name is far down the list. . . .

San Diego Union cartoonist Steve Kelley says he has been approved by the Tonight Show’s talent coordinator for an appearance on the show, the special sauce on the hamburger of life for stand-up comics. He hasn’t been given a show date, but he thinks its a done deal. Meanwhile, he has agreed to do a third appearance on the Pat Sajak Show, Sept. 14. . . .

Former Channel 8 reporter Jesse Macias has a Dec. 4 court date for his wrongful termination suit against the station. . . . An addendum to last week’s column: KPBS-TV (Channel 15) also broadcasts in stereo. . . . “The only reason I listen to KGB is for Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph,” a listener said, echoing the feelings of many. . . . XTRA-AM’s (690) “Garvey and Co.” is without its main producer. Jackie Gladfelter is on 30-day medical leave after a car accident last week. . . .