The October ratings story was pretty much WFTV-Channel 9’s to tell.
Most local newscasts on the ABC affiliate ranked first with the 25-to-54 age group prized by news advertisers, according to Nielsen. One exception was the noon news, where WKMG-Channel 6 ranked first.
With all viewers 18 and older, WFTV newscasts usually placed first in the ratings period that ended Wednesday. Two exceptions were the noon and 11 p.m. news on WKMG.
WFTV’s dominance can be seen at 6 p.m. weekdays. With the 25-to-54 age group, WFTV averaged 23,525 viewers. WESH-Channel 2 placed second with 12,714. They were followed by WOFL-Channel 35 with 7,962 and WKMG with 7,733.
At 6 p.m. with all viewers 18 and older, WFTV was out in front with 97,349. It was followed by WESH with 68,799, WKMG with 46,978 and WOFL with 17,991.
At 11 p.m. with 25-to-54 viewers, WFTV was the clear leader with 15,639 to WKMG’s 9,418, WESH’s 8,702 and WOFL’s 7,660.
But with 18-and-older viewers at 11 p.m., CBS affiliate WKMG had the lead with 60,455. It was followed by WFTV with 51,232, NBC affiliate WESH with 38,130 and Fox-owned WOFL with 14,675. (The Sentinel has a content-sharing agreement with WOFL.)
hboedeker@orlandosentinel.com
