WSOC, WBTV still lead in local news
WSOC (Channel 9) retained its No. 1 position in news in February, the first sweeps period where Nielsen measured viewers in Charlotte with new technology called local people meters.
Under the new technology, viewers in the Nielsen sample log in on a remote control before watching TV. By knowing the demographic background of each viewer in the household, Nielsen computes which programs attract certain types of viewers by race, age, gender, income.
Before the switch, Nielsen had about 400 households in the 22-county Charlotte television market hooked up to sensors that recorded TV viewing habits and provided daily ratings information. That information was supplemented by diaries kept by other viewers.
Now about 600 households have the new meters, providing a better sample of the 1.1million homes in the region.
Sweeps data showed no change in the rankings of local news programming. Channel 9 retained its lead in early morning and 6 p.m. newscasts. WBTV (Channel 3) still led at noon and 11 p.m.
Media Movers
Matt Harris and Ramona Holloway of WLNK-FM ("Link," 107.9) win the prestigious Gracie Allen Award for the second year in a row for outstanding radio comedy. They will be honored at a gala in Beverly Hills in May ... "Fly Ty," also known as Derrick Jacobs, returns to the Charlotte airwaves Monday on WQNC-FM (92.7) in afternoon drive. Ty was co-host of the "BreakfastBrotha's Morning Show" on WPEG-FM ("Power 96," 95.9) from 1997 to 2004, when he left for a Dallas station with fellow morning host D.J. Murphy ...
Talkers, the radio trade magazine, does an annual list of the 100 top talk show hosts in the nation. This year's list includes Allan Handelman, whose syndicated show originates from Charlotte, Bob Lacey and Sheri Lynch of WLNK-FM and Keith Larson of WBT-AM (1110). Among the magazine's "Talkers 250" are Al Gardner, Stacey Simms, John Hancock, John Gordon and David Dovell of WBT-AM ... Ex-WCCB (Fox Charlotte, Channel 18) anchor Eva Pilgrim lands as morning anchor for the Fox affiliate in Indianapolis ...
Ron Shuping, executive vice president of programming for Indian Land, S.C.-based Inspiration Network, retires after a 40-year career that included positions at Channel 9 and Channel 3 ... Former WBT afternoon host Jason Lewis did his syndicated evening show Friday from the local affiliate, WBCN-AM (1660), because he was in town speaking at a luncheon for S.C. congressional candidate Mick Mulvaney.
This story was originally published March 6, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "WSOC, WBTV still lead in local news."