Gannett Claims Top 2 Olympics Stations

Gannett announced Thursday that its NBC affiliates KUSA Denver (DMA 17) and KARE Minneapolis (DMA 15) were the No. 1 and No. 2 highest-rated stations in the country during the first six nights of primetime coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympics in adults 25-54 demographic.

KUSA and KARE averaged a 51 and 49 share, respectively, among adults 25-54.

Two other Gannett-owned NBC stations joined KUSA and KARE in placing among the top five highest-rated local stations in the 25 largest TV markets, according to Nielsen LPM overnight ratings. Gannett’s WXIA Atlanta (DMA 9) ranked fourth and KPNX Phoenix (DMA 13) ranked fifth.

In total, Gannett stations took four of the top five spots. Additionally, the company said, the ratings are up significantly from the Beijing Games. In addition, Gannett’s KSDK St. Louis (DMA 21) ranked No. 7 and WKYC Cleveland (DMA 18) ranked No. 10, giving Gannett six of the top 10 highest-rated NBC affiliates in the country.

“Thanks to the fantastic job our stations have done driving viewer interest and NBC has done producing and promoting the Olympics, we are experiencing massive television audiences for the London Games, from the Opening Ceremonies through last night,” said Dave Lougee, president of Gannett Broadcasting.

“As the drama of the Games continues to unfold, consumer engagement across all platforms — broadcast, mobile, online and in social media — is outstanding. We are seeing the promise of digital, mobile and social working in concert with television realized. This engagement, particularly with social media, is creating a unique relationship and collaboration among our stations and our consumers that is contributing to this extraordinarily high viewing.”