There isn’t really much to talk about in the recently-concluded November sweeps period, since two of Chicago’s most dominant news operations – ABC-owned WLS-TV and Tribune CW affiliate WGN-TV continue to roll along.
While sweeps periods are less important to the networks these days – for one, low-rated lame-duck shows (such as Mulaney, Bad Judge, and A to Z) are still on the schedule and even a few veteran series (such as Family Guy) aired repeats, sweeps are still important to local stations – particularly local news shows, though you’re seeing less and less of the “killer garage doors” stories (and their accompanying promos) these days.
With that said, WLS continues to dominate the ratings in households and in adults 25-54 – especially at 10 p.m. with a nearly three-rating point lead ahead of NBC’s WMAQ. But WGN dominates morning news in the 25-54 demo and its new 4 p.m. newscast has been a major success in the same demographic, only ranking behind WLS and beating Judge Judy on CBS-owned WBBM – syndication’s top-rated show.
To no one’s surprise, WBBM and Fox’s WFLD trailed the other three stations in the market in most time periods, the latter not being helped by Fox’s abysmal prime-time lead-ins at 9 (WFLD wasn’t even helped when Fox’s prime-time was strong.)
Fox also had a tough time in Los Angeles, where KTTV finished behind both KTLA and KCAL at 10 p.m. in total viewers and was down in most time periods, often bringing up the rear. KABC, as usual, swept the market while KCBS and KCAL posted significant gains.
But Fox’s prime-time lineup wasn’t a problem in Milwaukee, where Tribune Fox affiliate WITI knocked off WTMJ at 10 p.m. with a 6.4 household rating to the NBC affiliate’s 6.2, tied with ABC affiliate WISN for second place.
Click on the links to see November sweeps results from Pittsburgh, Orlando, Denver, San Antonio, Austin, and Salt Lake City.