WNCN Raleigh

The broadcasting Executive with more than 30 years of experience Joins Nexstar from KMGH Denver to lead Nexstar’s CBS affiliate in Raleigh, N.C.

Changing to affiliation with CBS resulted in a 56% increase in total household viewership, the Raleigh, N.C., station says. WNCN, branded as CBS North Carolina, premiered a 5 p.m. newscast on the first day of the change, Feb. 29, and enjoyed a 48% increase in viewership compared to the same week, same time slot a year earlier. Its 7 p.m. hour, featuring Judge Judy, was up 46% in the same comparison.

Unable to reach an accord that would extend their 30-year affiliation, CBS and WRAL are parting ways. Come Feb. 29, WRAL will become the the market’s NBC affiliate and Media General’s WNCN will become its CBS affiliate.

Plus, Movers And Shakers, promo spots from Dallas, New York, Philly and Universal Resorts, and TV’s still the 10,000-pound gorilla when it comes to advertising.

Media General’s WNCN Raleigh, N.C., created a website designed to tell viewers its side of the company’s retransmission consent dispute with Dish Network. The website is an example of the viewer education efforts being conducted by all of Media General’s stations during the impasse.

The Media General NBC affiliate is switching from “NBC 17” TO “WNCN Raleigh – Durham – Fayetteville.” GM Doug Hamilton: “By choosing to identify ourselves with our call letters [rather than network], we simply believe we are making a local statement to our communities that our priority is to serve them first and foremost.”

For stations in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., the ratings stakes have likely never been higher than they are this fall. The start of the traditional TV season is bringing new programming and switches in some local news lineups, while a volatile presidential campaign is pumping ad dollars into North Carolina, which is again a swing state.