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Every three months, local TV news operations put their spin on the latest television ratings. But, after this May's sweeps, the spin is almost out of control--everyone's a winner!
At least that's what the stations want viewers and--more importantly--advertisers to think.
While not everyone can truly win, the television news ratings are tightening up as never before, and the long-touted dominance of WJZ-TV (Ch. 13) is becoming a thing of the past.
WJZ is at the top, or a close second, in every newscast category, but the new numbers, according to WJZ's competitors, finally signal the end of Channel 13's long domination over the local TV news scene.
"The real story is the dominance of WJZ is no more," says Arnold Kleiner, vice president and general manager of WMAR-TV (Ch. 2) "It used to be every sweeps period, WJZ's ratings were higher than WMAR and WBAL combined."
WINNERS, LOSERS
Though that position has eroded since last year, Kleiner says the perception persists that WJZ has the dominant newscast.
What do the numbers show now?
WJZ newscasts still command the morning and 1 p.m. time slots. But WBAL-TV (Ch. 11) has a stiffer hold at noon and WMAR-2 edges WJZ...