KOAM-TV's local and syndicated programming swept the local Nielsen ratings in February. This may be news to the Nexstar stations, KSNF and KODE, which have stopped paying for Nielsen ratings, as well as for Associated Press news coverage, and a lot of other items that are staples at television stations across the country.
KOAM had been the leader during the November sweeps period, but solidified its lead in February, undoubtedly in part due to Nexstar's decision to remove its signal from cable franchises in Joplin, Miami, Parsons, and Independence.
The ratings would also seem to indicate that closer attention should be made to any future claims that the Nexstar stations have not lost much advertising income since I am certain KOAM salespeople are going to be trumpeting these figures across the area.
The only local or syndicated show to hold off the KOAM juggernaut was KODE's "Oprah," which pulled a 7 share during the 4 to 5 p.m. time period, tying KOAM's Judge Judy. A 7 share means seven percent of the households in the area are tuned to that station.
Channel 7's dominance starts first thing in the morning with Sarah Pierik and Dave Pylant on the morning show, pulling an 8 share, compared to 3 for KODE and 3 for KSNF.
Dr. Phil has an 8 share for KOAM in the 3 to 4 p.m. time slot, beating the ratings of "Everybody Loves Raymond", KSNF (2), "The Insider," KODE (2), and "Divorce Court" KFJX (1) combined.
KOAM's 5 p.m. news with Dowe Quick and Rhonda Justice pulls a 12 share, building on its "Judge Judy" lead-in and, once again, beating the three other local stations combined. Following the KOAM news are: KODE News with Jimmy Siedlecki and Tara Brown (5), KSN News with Jim Jackson and Tiffany Alaniz (4) and KFJX's "Becker" (2).
Those numbers continue to build for KOAM throughout the evening. After the CBS News (then with Dan Rather as host) picked up a 13 share in the 5:30 p.m. time period, KOAM's 6 p.m. news increases to 16 percent, with KODE earning a 6 share, KSNF a 5 share and "King of the Hill" on KFJX a 2 share.
"Wheel of Fortune" perks up to an 18 share for KOAM in the 6:30 slot, followed by 4 shares for KFJX's "That 70s Show" and KODE's "Seinfeld." "Friends" on KSNF has a 3 share.
The KOAM 10 p.m. news beat all comers with a 16 percent share, building on the 13 share the station's CBS prime-time programming received from 9 to 10 p.m. KSNF's news bounces back to post an 8 share, which is more than its 6 p.m. newscast, but down from the 9 share the station gets from its NBC prime-time programs. KODE's 10 p.m. newscast pulls a 5 share, down from 7 for ABC's programming.
The news was also good for KFJX's fledgling 9 p.m. news, which had a respectable, if not awe-inspiring 2 share, which could grow with the increased popularity of Fox programming and as more people get used to the concept of a 9 p.m. newscast.