Patience is important in poker and television programming.
Mark Cornetta is remaining calm, even though the new 9 p.m. news on KTVD-Channel 20 (MyNetwork20), which premiered Sept. 5, has drawn low ratings.
Cornetta is president and general manager for both KUSA-
Channel 9, whose news team produces Channel 20’s news, and for Channel 20. Both stations are owned by Gannett.
In its first two weeks, the new MyNetwork20 news, anchored by Mark Koebrich and Bazi Kanani, averaged a 1.6 share Monday-Friday, well behind 9 p.m. rivals KDVR-Channel 31 (4.4) and KWGN-Channel 2 (3.1). A share represents the percentage of people watching TV at the time.
Not unexpected, says Cornetta. “We figured this was going to be a marathon, not a sprint.”
Performance of Channel 20’s 30-minute news is hindered by the lame lead-in it was handed – two one-hour episodes of the telenovelas “Desire” and “Fashion House,” which are drawing even fewer viewers than the news.
But, says Cornetta, things are looking up. “Last night (Wednesday), we had a 2.8 against some formidable opposition (“CSI” and “Kidnapped”). “We’re happy with that.”
Couric first
Speaking of ratings, after an otherworldly start, the ratings for “CBS News With Katie Couric” (5:30 p.m. weekdays, KCNC-Channel 4) have come back to Earth.
Still, her presence boosted CBS to first in the news ratings race last week, topping both “NBC Nightly News” and ABC’s “World News” in numbers of viewers. It marked the first time since July 1998 that CBS finished first in back-to-back weeks.
A better read on the ratings will come six months down the road. For now, CBS is delighted.
Opera 24/7
Opera lovers, rejoice like the chorus in “Carmen.”
Sirius Satellite Radio, the pay outlet, today begins broadcasting the Metropolitan Opera live. First up is a performance of “Madama Butterfly,” starring Yoko Watanabe (4:30 p.m., Channel 85).
Sirius will carry an average of four performances a week from the Met and also will broadcast operas from the famed company’s archives. The familiar voice of Margaret Juntwait will guide listeners.
Sirius service costs $12.95 a month for 125 channels.
Around the dial
KOA 850-AM looking for Broncos’ fans memories to be included in “For Denver Broncos Fans Only!” a new book by Rich Wolfe. Send ’em to broncos@samswebsite.com by Saturday…. Peter Boyles interviews Aaron Russo, whose film “America: Freedom to Fascism” looks at the country’s loss of civil liberties, on “Colorado Inside Out” (8 p.m. Wednesday, KBPI-Channel 12). … Quotable: “It’s premature to say it’s not working.” Mark Cornetta
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-954-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
