Ratings

SOUTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2001 B5 METRO RATINGS FROM PAGE B1 their problems. CBS's "Survivor" on WLTX was the No.1 show in the Midlands, and therein lies a major key to WLTX's successful attack on WIS. WLTX has deftly used commercial spots during "Survivor" to promote its local newscasts. John Higgins, deputy editor of Broadcasting and Cable magazine, insists it's "Survivor," not community outreach, propelling CBS stations to victory. "CBS is up and NBC is down," he said. "Survivor' has goosed practically CBS's entire schedule. There is plenty of evidence that it is a national trend affecting a local trend, as opposed to some public affairs guy finding a kidney transplant for some kid." Guy Hempel, vice president of operations for Cosmos, which owns WIS, said the advent of cable and population shifts have changed the television landscape. "The reality is that the market is different than it was just five years ago," Hempel said. According to the most recent census, more than 300,000 people moved to South Carolina between 1990 and 2000. These newcomers would have no allegiance to a station that once totally dominated the market. The siege on WIS comes as Cosmos searches for a new general manger to replace John Cottingham, who left for Spartanburg's WSPA-TV last month. As for WLTX eventually overtaking WIS, Hempel said, "It's our job to make sure that doesn't happen." He didn't offer specifics. While WLTX's numbers continue to increase, ABC affiliate WOLO's ratings continue to go in the opposite direction - despite a new, multimillion-dollar broadcasting tower that enables its signal to reach the entire Columbia IN OTHER RATINGS NEWS: In the important 6-6:30 p.m. news time slot, WIS was victorious, but its viewership declined 12 percent over last May, while WLTX's rose 69 percent. Reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show" again made an amazing showing, finishing second with a 7.7 rating in the 7:30-8 p.m. time slot. WIS's "ET" was first with a 9.5 rating. If you think Andy is all about nostalgia, think again. The show, which has been airing on WLTX for more than 25 years, ranked first among the 18-49 age group. • "The Price is Right" continued to serve as a great lead-in for WLTX's noon newscast. It scored a 6.9 rating during its 11 a.m. time slot, up 23 percent over May of 2000. "Jenny Jones" on WACH was second with a 2 rating. "Martha Stewart" on WIS and "The View" on WOLO tied for third. Maury Povich on WLTX beat out "Live with Regis and Kelly" on WIS for first place during 10-11 a.m. Oprah Winfrey provided WIS with a victory in the 4-5 p.m. spot. Sitcom reruns on WLTX were second, and Rosie O'Donnell was next. CBS's success enabled David Letterman to make his best latenight showing in years, scoring a 3.2 rating as viewership increased 78 percent over May a year ago. NBC's Jay Leno won the spot with a 3.9 rating. ABC's "Nightline" on WOLO was a distant fourth with a 0.9 rating. The Judges - Judy at 5 p.m. and Joe at 5:30 p.m. : - showed a decline in ratings compared with last May. Both shows won their time spots, but Judy was down 14 percent, and Joe was down 16 percent. WIS's afternoon news magazine "Live at 5" increased its viewership by 17 percent. It finished second at 5 p.m. with a 6.2 rating, behind "Judge Judy's" 7.2. In the 6:30 p.m. network news battle, NBC was first with a 13.6 rating, and CBS was second with a 9.1. Reruns of "Cosby" on WACH were third. ABC news finished fourth with a 2.5 rating. After WLTX's and WIS's 1-2 finish in the prime-time race, WOLO was third with a 6 rating and 11 share followed by WACH (4 rating/9 share) and WQHB (1 rating/2 share). - Doug Nye TV market. WOLO's newscasts at 6 and 11 p.m. finished behind reruns of "Moesha" and "Sanford and Son." Despite the dismal showing, Chris Bailey, the new general manager of WOLO, said a three-way news race could happen. The station recently launched its "Eyewitness News" format, which includes a new logo and splashier on-screen graphics. "Some of the changes we made on air came during the ratings period," he said. "There's a timeline factor before you see the effect."

The State

Ratings

Ratings

The State