Perennial local-news powerhouse KUSA-Channel 9 continues its domination in the fall Nielsen Media Research television ratings to be released today. With one day in the ratings period remaining, Channel 9’s 10 p.m. newscast rang up a 22.6 share, well ahead of rivals KMGH-Channel 7 (14.6) and KCNC-Channel 4 (9.2). The station also finished first at 6 a.m. and at 5 and 6 p.m.
Outside the glare of the 10 p.m. main event, the numbers, in some cases, remain razor- thin. “The race is as tight as it’s always been in the early evening,” said Byron Grandy, news director for Channel 7.
“We look at the big picture,” said Tim Wieland, Channel 4’s news director. “We’re winning a larger audience at 4, 5 and 6 p.m.”
Non-news programming scored some hits, too.
“The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which airs at 4 p.m. on Channel 7, buried its rivals, pulling down a 17 share. The success of the Denver Broncos this season helped Channel 4 to higher ratings on its “Mike Shanahan Show” (6:30 p.m. Saturdays), up 58 percent compared with the same period last November.
At 9 p.m., Channel 31, with a 7 share, continued to lead rival KWGN-Channel 2, which checked in with a 4.
The news rankings:
6 a.m. – KUSA-Channel 9, 24.7 share; KCNC-Channel 4, 9.8; KMGH-Channel 7, 7.4.
5 p.m. – Channel 9, 14.2; Channel 7, 11.7; Channel 4, 11.5.
6 p.m. – Channel 9, 12.2; Channel 4, 9.4; Channel 7, 7.4.
10 p.m. – Channel 9, 22.6; Channel 7, 14.6; Channel 4, 9.2.
Note: A share is a percentage of television households watching.
