KNBC, KABC knotted in TV ratings

KNBC-TV Channel 4 and KABC-TV Channel 7 continued to fight for dominance in local ratings in the just-concluded May sweeps, with KNBC retaining its long-standing dominance of the 11 p.m. news, KABC-TV remaining first in the evening newscasts, and both stations in a virtual tie in the early morning.

Fueled by NBC’s strong network performance, KNBC rebounded in the morning, inching out KABC by .01 of a ratings point to reclaim its top position at 5 a.m. The stations deadlocked at 5:30 and 6 a.m. for first place, with KTTV Fox 11 ranking second.

NBC’s “Today” show emerged as the 7 a.m. champion, a title that belonged a year ago to KTTV’s “Good Day L.A.,” which fell to third place.

“We’re very pleased with our May positioning,” said Paula Madison, president and general manager of KNBC-TV. “Our position in the morning has solidified and increased, and we look forward to continuing to build and grow. The strength of the NBC network has been established and proven over the years. Fortunately for us, we are able to take that lead-in and build on it for our 11 p.m. news.”

While KABC’s president and general manager, Arnold Kleiner, said he was pleased with the strong performance of all his newscasts, he acknowledged that “this wasn’t the best rating book we ever had.” Kleiner cited ABC’s struggling network performance, which he says presents problems for its affiliates through the day. ABC was in fourth place in total viewers among the networks and fourth in the 18 to 49 demographic, which is most important for advertisers.

“As we look at our station and we think about what we need to change, we realize we don’t really have to change anything,” Kleiner said. “I’m not concerned about our production or viewers not liking our station or our people. But I am concerned about our network improving. When people turn off their TV at 11 p.m. and turn it back on in the morning, they tend to watch the channel that’s on. In order to watch us, you have to take some action. We start from a lower base.”

Although KCBS-TV Channel 2 ranked far behind KABC and KNBC in its evening newscasts, it showed a 38% ratings growth at 5 p.m. and a 6% ratings growth at 11 p.m., the newscasts led by new anchors Laura Diaz and Paul Magers. Meanwhile, KABC fell 15% at 5 p.m., 18% at 6 and 2% at 11 p.m. and KNBC fell 2% and 10% at 5 and 6, and was up 7% at 11.

“I think we’ve put the right people in the right places,” said KCBS president and general manager Don Corsini. “We are moving in the right direction in a news environment that has diminished. We are gaining ground and building momentum, but it’s not as bright for my competition.”

Spanish-language stations also continued to prosper, particularly Univision’s KMEX-TV Channel 34, which posted ratings gains in its evening newscasts, ranking third at 5 p.m., second at 6 and 6:30 p.m., and third at 11 p.m.

At 10 p.m., KTTV held on to its top billing, thanks in part to ratings phenomenon “American Idol.” KTLA news director Jeff Wald said he was pleased that his station held its own against Fox’s juggernaut, especially since “ ‘American Idol’ often goes longer and creeps into the 10 o’clock hour, which allows them to include it as part of their newscast,” Wald said.

“We continue to be consistent,” Wald said, pointing out that both KTTV and KTLA lost viewers to the national morning news shows, “which happens when there’s a lot of stuff going on nationally.”

“Oprah” remained the queen of 3 p.m., but “Ellen,” the freshman talk show hosted by Ellen DeGeneres that just won a Daytime Emmy, improved ratings in that time period for KNBC by nearly 200%.

“It helps with our lead-in to ‘Dr. Phil’ and sets up for the rest of the afternoon and evening,” Madison said. “People are looking for shows in the afternoon where they can laugh and be entertained with fun conversation and performances. ‘Ellen’ will give that to you.”

“Dr. Phil” on KNBC won the 4 p.m. race, ranking ahead of KABC’s newscast. One talk show not faring as well is “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” on KTTV, which ranks fourth at 5 p.m.