HDTV Doesn't Help Tucson TV News
The NBC affiliate in Tucson loses news viewers after switching to high-def.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (July 8, 2007) -- KVOA-TV's news programs took a ratings dip in May despite a heavily publicized switch to High-Definition.
KVOA-TV is the NBC affiliate in Tucson, Arizona.
The station's 10 p.m. news program plunged from a 8.7 Nielsen rating in February of this year to a 6.3 in May, according to the Arizona Daily Star. The 5 p.m. newscast fell from 7.4 to 5.1 and the 6 p.m. program declined from 6.8 to 5.1.
KVOA became the first Tucson station to broadcast the news in high-def on April 22 of this year, shortly before the May ratings period.
"I think all of us over the years have found ratings books where we've wondered what happened, and this is certainly one of them," Gary Nielsen, president and general manager of KVOA, told the Daily Star. "I find it hard to believe that our newscasts went down."
Yawn. I don't watch the local news because there is nothing there.
Nielsen ratings service not rating HD Households, yet, they are supposed to start late this year.
so the report should have been expected, all the HDTV Households that are watching the local HD news aren't being counted.
viewers with HDTV's prefer HD, so if one of the local broadcasters does HD, and if they have a comparable quality program, they are going to pull the HDTV HH's
Broadcast format is waay down on the list of of what should concern those responsible for ratings of local news.
Local news in HD didn't help the local CBS affiliate here in DC either. Although that is the usually the only news I watch because it is broadcst in HD. That hasn't translated into better ratings for the station. The other stations will be able to spend less money and have better equipment since they are waiting longer to start broadcsting the local news in HD.
WCVB-TV Channel 5 in Boston also does its local news in HD. It is by far the best HD picture I have watched. Even though I am in the Providence market, after the first 5 minutes of the Providence newscast I switch to Channel 5...the regional news is often similar but the picture and graphics on WCVB are outstanding. Field reports, however, remain SD.
Skane
If Nielsen's survey was sent to everyone who had a HD set in Tucson, I think the numbers would show the local newscast that is in HD going up and not down. The trouble with Nielsen is, each household that just happens to receive by mail a diary, is a representation of only a set number of viewers. I hope the advertisers in Tucson takes this survey with a grain of salt, I know I would. I have an HDTV and have never received this limited mailing from Nielsen. I have also heard of stories in the Broadcast industry that Nielsen seems to favor those who subscribe to their service. Let me just say to all of the news directors and managers who have decided to wait to make the switch.......1. HD adds to your "total" news package 2. news footage shot in HD today will be available for your local news dept if you should need that same footage down the road. 3. Most people with HD sets have a tendency to want to show off that set, wouldn't it be nice if they used your station as a demo? 4. If a syndicated show is shot in HD that preceeds your Newscast, do you really want your newsteam/package to look mediocre? Stations all over this country are starting the conversion to an HD newscast to help get the competitive edge, how far behind will you be in the ratings race two years down the road when the other stations sees you in their rear view mirror and have already picked up what was once your loyal viewers?
Of course the bottom line is content. Some of the decisions from the top at KVOA as far as talent and content have been lacking, and frankly, their newscast has suffered. It is "stuffy", a very old-school newscast with a rigid structure and not much entertainment. Perfect for the 50+ crowd that doesn't generally watch HDTV or care whether a newscast is in HD. The other morning newscasts are more interesting, with live interviews via satellite and on-location weather. It's not the HDTV, it's the content.
I have HD programming and I watch the only local news station that broadcasts in HD here in Charlotte, WSOC-TV. I'm also a Nielsen family so hopefully I'll help their numbers when they start counting me. Actually, I don't watch it, I just keep it on when it's on. Local news is useless.
The July book came out recently and guess what KVOA is back on top taking the #1 spot. Maybe it just took a few months for the viewer's to get adjusted to the changes that took place there.
We are sorry. New comments are not allowed after 365 days.
TVPredictions.com Forum
Make your voice heard on High-Definition TV!
Archives
