Sweeping Seattle’s late news two times over
Cory Bergman December 20th, 2006
Ok, this is an ego post, but I can’t resist. In what’s believed to be an industry first, KING-TV and its sister station KONG-TV finished #1 and #2 respectively in Seattle’s late news race in November sweeps. KING’s newscast airs at 11 p.m. and KONG at 10 p.m. What’s fascinating here is the fact the newscasts have the same main anchors, same reporters and nearly all of the same stories. I was executive producer of the two newscasts from 2002-2005, and the idea wasn’t to get people to watch both newscasts (why would you?) but to provide a choice of convenience. Initially, we were afraid the 10 p.m. would cannibalize the 11 p.m., but we realized we’d rather cannibalize ourselves than give away viewers to the 10 p.m. competition. In the end, the newscasts reinforced each other and allowed us to cover the night more aggressively. The lesson here: choice trumps cannibalism. (Full disclosure: I work for KING-TV and KONG-TV.)
6 Comments Add your own
1. Jordan | December 21st, 2006 at 2:47 pm
I think KDKA did this once, #1 at 10 and 11pm when WPGH was ‘News Centralized”. Now its back to number 2 at 10 since WPXI now produces WPGH news at 10pm.
2. Safran | December 21st, 2006 at 5:47 pm
I love it every time we break the “cannibalism” superstitions. Online doesn’t cannibalize from TV news. Now, as you point out, neither does TV.
Great job!
3. Rob | December 21st, 2006 at 7:32 pm
What’s KONG these days, a CW affiliate? And how many stations run news at 10 in Seattle? Just Q13 and KONG?
4. Cory | December 22nd, 2006 at 11:47 am
It ranks like this:
1. KING @ 11
2. KONG @ 10
3. KIRO @ 11
4. KOMO @ 11
5. Q13 @ 10
A little apples-to-oranges because we’re comparing different time periods.
I’m told WRAL a few years ago may have accomplished the same feat.
5. Tim | December 23rd, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Good grief - don’t tell me you have a sister station WRAY in FAYEtteville, or I’ll fall out of my chair!
6. Sam | January 18th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Wow, thanks for the excellent information!
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