Channel Surfing
By Laura Nachman
[email protected]
May 29, 2001
Bucks County Courier Times

It’s back to normal in Philadelphia television, as 6ABC returned to its usual top spot in the 11 PM ratings.  After a much-publicized victory by NBC10 in the February 11 PM sweeps, 6ABC took the May crown with an 11.7 rating/22 share to 11.1 rating/20 share for NBC10.  The 3 in KYW-3 is fitting for the CBS affiliate, as it once again came in a distant third place. 

President and General Manager of 6ABC, Dave Davis credited the “continued hard work by our news operation. We are humbled and grateful that so many people make a conscious effort to switch to Channel 6 at 11 PM.”   6ABC is the only station in town that goes up in the ratings at 11 PM from its 10:45 lead-in, an impressive feat since ABC was behind CBS and NBC in the prime time ratings.

Davis responded to the criticism of 6ABC’s 11 PM newscast, which features three white male anchors (Jim Gardner, Gary Papa, and Dave Roberts).  “We have never programmed because of race.”  Davis said “never say never” about adding a co-anchor for Jim Gardner, but stated that there were no plans to do that.  When asked about the length of 65-year-old weather anchor Dave Roberts’ contract (with popular weather anchor Cecily Tynan in the wings), Davis joked “everyone at Channel 6 has a lifetime contract.”

Meanwhile at NBC10, though they couldn’t repeat the victory at 11 PM, a station spokesperson said “everyone is all smiles.  We feel it’s a matter of time before we beat 6.”  That’s because even though 6ABC continues to win every news timeslot, NBC10 numbers went up in every news timeslot from a year ago, and 6ABC’s went down except at 6AM.  

As for third place KYW-3, expect some changes for the struggling Eyewitness News.  Ratings which were already low, went down in every time slot from a year ago, the low point losing to Fox-Philadelphia’s “Judge Judy” at 5 PM.

At 10 PM, the Fox Ten O’Clock news led with a 4.1 rating/6share, but down a rating point from a year ago. The WB17 news held steady with a 2.4 rating/4 share, and CN8 which had no where to go but up, improved to a 0.3 rating with the permanent addition of Connie Colla.

Also noteworthy, at 12:30 AM 6ABC’s “Philly After Midnight” beat “Conan O’Brien” and “Craig Kilborn.”  Wally Kennedy and company managed a 3.0 rating/11 share.