Today’s breaking news: WDBJ7 no longer 6 p.m. news ratings champion
UPDATE: Our story today has been updated with a response form WDBJ President Jeffrey Marks. A sample: “[W]e have no concerns about the long-term here at the station … The market has gotten competitive between WSET and us. Three or four years ago, it had gotten competitive between us and WSLS. Things change.”
My fellow features writer Ralph Berrier Jr. has a story today about the latest local Nielsen ratings, which show that WSET (Channel 13) surpassed WDBJ (Channel 7) in viewership during the 6 o’clock news time slot for the first time in at least 40 years.
For the first time in at least two generations, WDBJ-TV (Channel 7) does not have the most-watched 6 p.m. newscast in the region.
WSET-TV (Channel 13) overtook WDBJ in total number of viewers in July, according to the most recent figures released by The Nielsen Co.
WSET attracted an average of 64,000 viewers, ages 18 and older, for its “ABC 13 News at Six” broadcast, ahead of the 58,000 viewers that watched “News 7 at Six.” The totals include all viewers who watch the newscasts, even those who live outside the 26-county Roanoke-Lynchburg designated market area.WDBJ’s numbers are a stunning drop from the 90,000 viewers who watched the newscast during the May ratings period, a 35.5 percent decline in viewership.
The July ratings period was the first for Channel 7 without longtime anchor Keith Humphry, who retired in May. He was succeeded by 23-year-old Chris Hurst, who co-anchors with Jean Jadhon at 6 p.m.
Click here to read the full story.
What do you think is going on? Do you think Keith Humprhy’s retirement ended WDBJ&’s reign at #1? Let us know in the comments.
August 19, 2011 - 11:58 AM
Mike this is breaking news? I had thought there was a murder, stock market crash or even that a newspaper increased readership.
Come on now, report the news, don’t make it.
Hey, Randall, if you came to my arts and culture blog expecting murder updates and stock market info, I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed whatever day you happen to arrive, heh.
Now then: Ralph looked into the latest Nielsen ratings, which contained a surprising though explainable development. And he reported on it, as is his duty as the journalist following local media. So where has news been “made” instead of reported?
Mike, my issue was why would it be listed on the main page of roanoke.com under the red letter heading….breaking news.
Since when does an arts & culture story (linked then to a blog) become headlined as breaking news. Realize it probably wasnt your choice to label it that way but I just found it a little funny. I do enjoy your blog.
I never said this wasn’t news or shouldn’t be reported. Plus didn’t see where Ralph was allowing comments, so you were next because you do!
I think this is news and surprising news at that. perhaps the loss of Keith has had an impact but other factors are at play. WDBJ management has made a lot of changes and perhaps the new leadership is not helping as much as they thought.
Hey, Randall, thanks for the clarification. And that is a fair question! I suppose you can argue that it’s news that’s not terribly time sensitive.
We (and that’s a news/features we, not a royal we) are aware that there’s often intense interest in new developments involving our local television networks and news personalities, and I imagine that’s why you see this being played as a breaking news item in the middle of the day.
I dunno… but I observed the way John Carlin(the ego-tripping bluster) was reporting the news on WSLS 10, when they decided to hand him his hat…although, he swears it was a voluntary departure.
My latest contention came when I tried to get some information from WDBJ 7′s advertising department, of which I received an answering service, but never a follow-up.
Any business that loses that “reach-out and touch-me” connection will lose its base, and eventually its lunch, of which WSET seems to be enjoying WDBJ’s.
A minor caveat for another “big namer” in the people’s business: You shouldn’t go on vacation when the folks at home are “starving”.
Thanks for the info Mike. I have been trying to figure out WHY Chris Hurst replaced Keith. Good to know I am not the only one that has switched to WSET. WSET now has the best male anchor.
Hey Randall, you do not have to click and read anything you do not find news worthy.
It is the first loss in a ratings period since 1953? That is 58 years and 4 ratings periods per year. So that translates into something like a 230 – 0 record. That is definitely news worthy when a streak that long comes to an end. The real test as to how significant this is is after the November ratings. If they lose that too then that signals that the viewers don’t like the changes.
I don’t watch channel 7 news because it is sooo boring! The anchors seem stiff and all have such a dry sense of humor. Robin Reed is really boring..no flair whatsoever..if he was telling us a massive tornado was coming viewers wouldn’t know it because his voice or expressions never change! I also saw him in person at famous anthonys one morning and he was greeted by a nice lady who recognized him. He was nothing but rude to her and was as cold as he seems on tv.
WDBJ7 is going downhill fast. Their website is filled with typos and some of their reports are inaccurate. One time they reported from “Moneta in Botetourt County.” Really? WDBJ7 used to be our Hometown Station that provided professional news, providing substantive reporting from across the area and Richmond (remember Joy Sutton or Ellen Qualls?). Now all we have is weather with Robin Reed and Kimberly McBroom (who actually has interviews with political figures on the set like Sen. Mark Warner).
Subtle changes such as removing the Mill Mountain Star from the logo, ending the Hometown Station feature where they show pastoral views of the region have been nixed for terrible stories like “is homosexuality immoral?” or having a youthful Hurst who aims to be Roanoke’s flamboyant camera-loving Brian Williams rather than the professional, calm and genteel persona (a Virginian characteristic) that Keith Humphrey epitomized.
WDBJ7 needs swift change and they should look no further than their successful public relations efforts of the 1990s. They should aim their professionalism to Keith Humphries, not Brian Williams, pivot their humor to Irv Sharp, not Matt Lauer.
We are original Roanokers now living in Lynchburg, but like to keep up with our hometown so we watch WDBJ-7. However, Keith Humphries was the last of the anchors that we could understand. Most of the time we cannot understand a word that Jean Jadhon says and it only gets worse when she acts “cutesy”. Chris Hurst speaks much clearer and Hollanie is easier to understand than Jean. Same for the sports reporters…they speak with their teeth closed and talk entirely too fast. As for weather…we will take Robin Reed any day over the others…love his calm demeaner and we CAN understand him clearly. If this newscast continues as it is we will switch to ABC-13 and get local news. We watch Diane Sawyer anyway so we won’t have to change stations.
I miss Natasha. I don’t care to watch Robin Reed as he comes off as arrogant.
I am curious though, this article only points out the 6p newscast. What about the overall ratings book? Is WDBJ getting beaten in overall ratings or just the 6p? Seems kind of lop sided to write an article which basically just blames Chris Hurst (who actually not that bad) for the rating drop in one 6p newscast…
Not to mention, and let’s be honest, the demographic probably watching the news in Roanoke is mostly 50 and older…I don’t know many 25 year olds who really watch the 6p news, and would quit watching because ol’ Keith Humphry left the station. So if the argument is that WDBJ is falling apart because the 6p newscast is down a bit and Keith left, that’s misguided. Lets wait and see what happens in the Fall when the older demographic is back from summer vacation time and back on their butts watching the evening news. If WDBJ is getting beaten there, then that’s a story.
Left leaning, or should I say far left jumping. They love that global warming scam. I want objective news, not propaganda. Lost me a long time ago. Maybe George Soros can save the day. He has been giving lots of $$$$ to news media to support his agenda. Will anyone listen? Call George!
Hey, Mike, I don’t get a sense you’re actually taking about WDBJ7 there. All opinions are welcome, but please stay on topic.
While I’m at it, I’m seeing a lot of criticisms of WDBJ, but few suggestions as to what they ought to do, which is giving me a case of Taubman Museum deja vu. So I’d love to see constructive suggestions, too.
I think this story is incomplete for a couple of reasons. I used to be in media and the story leaves me with several questions. What was the comparison between July 2010 and July 2011? I wonder because the Summer is typically lower, if you look at 2010′s May vs. 2010′s July I’m sure you’ll see all stations dropped viewers, which brings me to my next question…what percentage was lost from the WSLS and WSET in the same period? I would guess that all stations lost viewers over May of this year…and that WSET just lost less than WDBJ7…if that is the case, this isn’t as big a story about Kieth and any other factors. Can we get the answers and see the rest of the story?
I call BS on the ratings bureau. Since analog TV was taken off the air by the commies in DC, I haven’t even been able to tune in WSET in Vinton. Ya know, somehow my life without ABC for a couple years has been none the poorer. Sorry Mickey Mouse.
Elliot, there’s a larger story in the works that will appear in tomorrow morning’s paper and on our website. Hopefully that will address at least some of your very astute questions.
New guy tends to try to sensationalize. Like Jean Jadhon, she is calm.
I think it’s because people are watcing Fox News and getting local news from interne
All the oldsters who get their hootenannys a’ rockin’ over Andy Griffith get all freaked out if anything changes. Simple as that.
“Left leaning, or should I say far left jumping. “
Our “Hometown Station” ran propaganda pieces from the likes of Americans for Prosperity and the US Chamber of Commerce during the health care “debate.” They are currently running ads from Karl Rove’s American Crossroads. This is left-leaning how? Back on topic, I never could warm to Hurst, he reminds me of Jerry Lundegaard, the used-car salesman in Fargo.
I don’t see the TV stations making hay out of any of The Roanoke Times changes of which there have been many. If the “news” coverage is good who cares who delivers it. Local media in general only report the “surface” news and don’t get to the meat of the issue.
There are a few signs of life in media (including the RT) in blogs that expand on coverage where “inches” are limited. Interaction is key.
TV news is trying to do that but is not quite there yet.
I never cared for Keith and I like Hurst’s interaction with others on the news desk. He will come along I hope. I am definitely the older demographic. However, I miss the evening news often and go to the internet. To be honest I use the internet and social media almost exclusively and am a news junky.
Personally, I don’t watch local news. I don’t have time for a 30 minute newscast when important news is only a few clicks away on the computer or mobile phone. I think the younger generations are more and more turning to alternative media formats to get their news. I don’t see any reveral in this trend either, whether that be new anchors, new formats, etc.
I still watch the WDBJ 6 pm news. Justin does ok, just needs to loosen up a little.
I cannot tolerate channel 10′s news at all, and I don’t live in Lynchburg so why watch WSET.
I have been a staunch CBS News watcher since I can remember. I change the channel to NBC nightly News now that Katy has left. The new guy is awful.
Gotcha. Thanks for the update. The 35.5% drop may not be so stunning if everyone dropped by a large percentage. Which I’m guessing happened since people are out and about in the summer.
“WDBJ’s numbers are a stunning drop from the 90,000 viewers who watched the newscast during the May ratings period, a 35.5 percent decline in viewership.”
I’m in media and have access to the ratings. It’s actually not what you suggest, it is a real loss. WDBJ -32,000, WSLS -1,000, WSET +10,000. Oh, and by the way, WDBJ and WSLS were not even close three or four years ago. Not sure what he’s talking about with that!
I normally watch Channel 7 because of Robin and now Chris, but often turn to Channel 13 because they offer more stories of what is happening in Roanoke and not all about Danville and Martinsville or Blacksburg. I know Channel 7 is their station also but more stories from Roanoke would bring me back and also not to have the same stories on for 3 days at a time. Some days all you hear are yesterdays news events. I’m sure new things happen every day. Be more current with updates. But remember you can’t please us all no matter what you do or change. Some days I’ll watch you and some I’ll watch another channel.
We’ve actually started watching WDBJ because Kieth Humphries left. While I understand he has more journalism experience than Hurst, watching him was like watching a cadaver give the news. HDTV was NOT kind to the poor guy and his personality came off at about the same level.
Of all of the local TV newscasters, my favorite is far and away Hollani Davis. She’s serious when she needs to be and light when it’s called for. It shouldn’t be long before a bigger market picks her up.
I don’t know what people see in WSET – it really seems like amateur hour. But then again, maybe that’s why Roanoke likes it so.
First off when they lost Natasha Ryan it went downhill from there…She was fantstic and easy to watch…They got this other girl Hollanie Davis and she is just horrible, talks with hands ALL the time and has a little comment about everything that any other reporter says…She needs to shut up once in awhile.And it’s not her fault but she’s not very pretty either.Another thing is channel 7 will keep reporting on the SAME story for 7 or 8 days.Get new material & quit beating the same storys to death.And please stop reporting on anything at VT everyday!..It’s now caught up with your station so either change or keep bringing up the rear.
From what I hear (and admittedly, I don’t know much about news), it is all about where the ratings books are located that determines the ratings. Meaning, if they fall more towards Lynchburg, then 13 is going to have a good ratings period. If they fall more towards Roanoke or the New River, then 7 and 10 will do better. The ratings company maybe sent more out east in July. I don’t think 7 or 10 should feel terrible about this. On another note, I don’t understand why more folks don’t watch 10…I think their product is awesome.
WSET comes across as amateur hour to me…The broadcast looks like it’s stuck in the mid-80′s.
WSLS has been a joke for years, and Heroin-gate certainly didn’t help that.
WDBJ has lost the focus on local news and catered towards more cutesy crap like WSLS started. Jean Jadhon and Robin Reed are good, but the sports folks are weak compared to Steve or Mike. Their website is just pitiful. Spelling errors, incomplete sentences, pictures the size of a postage stamp…
Why even bother watching local news when you have the news available to you in multiple formats 24 hours a day?
Does the roanoker not know that the July book is the least accurate and important book of the 4 that are done. They won’t tell you that because the liberal rag that it is wants to sensationalize. This paper sucks and has the creditability of the ny times. I canceled my subscription 9 years ago after having it fair 2 weeks. You could tell it sucked.
That’s all true……Also they don’t report enough local news, it’s always anywhere but Roanoke….I bet we heard about the school in Blacksburg everyday for 2 months straight…Who cares!…And why in the world would anybody want an in depth report on kids moving back to college?….Are they going to report on EVERY college that kids are going back to?
Getting rid of Chris Mills had to help the ratings. I know we are in Hokie Country but he could make a complete broadcast on what is happening in Blacksburg. If ferrum was playing on the same day he won’t even give the score. There is no reason to try to downgrade UVA> Travis Wells this week made a point of pointing out that Al Golden was a former Assistant at UVA. What was gained by this??? I can’t imange Golden was aware of this trouble at Miama when he took the head coaching position. How long ago was he at UVA and did this have any part of his problem at Miama. NO=NO Just some way to threw dirt at UVA. I immediately hit my on/off switch and don’t intend to ever tune in Channel 7 again.
There’s only one main reason I DON”T watch channel 7, ROBIN REED! He creeps me out. He’s a bore when describing weather and is REALLY a lame nerd. He has no passion at all and always sounds like he’s just reading a script. He seems arrogant too. Put him on a PBS channel or AM radio somewhere.
While I am a “lifer” when in comes to News 7, it’s getting painful to watch. I want to like Hollani but her obvious speech impediment is like fingernails on a blackboard. Keith was definitely the elder statesman and his voice of experience will be missed. Hated to see Natasha leave but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Will give Chris Hurst time to settle in. Have enjoyed watching Chris Miles mature in his sports role, hate to see him leave. Honestly what I think 7 needs right now is some “maturity”. As much as I can’t stand anything going on over at 10, I suppose John Carlin is available…
Hey Mike and all – interesting sequence of comments. Sherri wrote at 3pm on the 19th that she observed me being rude to someone at Famous Anthony’s one morning at breakfast. I can assure you that wasn’t me since my work hours don’t have me awake for breakfast nor have I ever had breakfast at Famous Anthony’s.
Thank you for commenting, Robin. So noted.
I guess that is what happens you when hire a statue curator from Hawaii who knows nothing about Virginia to be the News Boss.
@Robin Reed, Mike and Everyone…Sorry Robin but it WAS you at Famous Anthonys on Williamson Rd. across from the ice cream place. It was however a few years back but I remember it very well. Several people in the restaurant even commented about you being in there, thats what made me turn around to see you. Maybe it was brunch time,lunch time, whatever. I just know I was stunned at how abrupt the lady speaking to you was cut off. I’m just expressing my opinion on how that gave me a negative view of you personally. As far as your performance on your job…that’s also a personal opinion. There’s probably thousands of viewers that like how you project yourself on the news. I just prefer to see a little more enthusiasm in any type of person who wants to tell me something including the weather.
Response to Matt Mason,
Typically I don’t reply to blog comments, but as a life-long journalist I think it’s good to set the record straight. I’m not sure what you mean by being a “statue curator from Hawaii?” I was news director at two stations there, proceeded by television news director’s positions at three stations in Colorado and California. I covered news as a radio and TV reporter & photographer in Colorado for 25 years, for a total of 40 years in journalism. Lots of people in the news business move from place to place and learn about their new homes; which is precisely what is happening with me in Virginia. Perhaps before you write about someone you know nothing about it would be good to get your facts straight. WDBJ7 is a great television station and will continue being so well into the future.
While I can’t speak to Sherri’s experience directly, I feel the need to add a couple observations.
1) Over the course of my life I’ve made judgements based on brief first encounters that have later proven incorrect when I’ve actually gotten to spend time with the person.
2) I myself have had brief encounters with folks where I wasn’t at my best that’ve left me hoping I didn’t leave a permanent wrong impression, for whatever reason.
I make my living based on the First Amendment, just like the folks at Channel 7 do, and this is meant to be a public forum, but I confess when this post went up I had hoped for more discussion of the situation and less personal criticism.
Admittedly, as television news relies heavily on the personalities of its staff in front of the camera, it’s hard to completely untangle the two, but nonetheless I hope we can stay civil.
Wow Mike, I feel like I’m being singled out here. I was only expressing my personal opinions of why I prefer not to watch WDBJ as a regular news viewer that makes their ratings count. Just as everyone else in the post has done. I was not doing so in a malicious intent against Robin Reed or WDBJ. I AM a professional in a legal field and know better. I assumed that if anyone from WDBJ read the post they would listen with an open mind and accept constructive criticism like professional adults. I do fully understand how a person (including me) cannot be friendly to everyone all the time. However, what I observed was downright rude. No matter how much I did not want to talk to a person I would still smile and be cordial. And yes, this did affect my view of him even more. I was disappointed that Mr. Reed chose to become defensive at my comment and portray me as lying which I thought was a rather cheap shot. I used to watch WDBJ exclusively for years all the time and I’m not being uncivil when I say this…all the reporters lost my interest so I switched to channel 10 and have stayed there. Sometimes people tells us things we don’t want to hear and sometimes it’s to help not hurt us. If ratings are dropping off and the station wants to know why then I would think everyone’s opinions should matter.
I like the morning shoe with cyntia Mc broom and Leo hersbrener doing the weather they are great togetter.
i have watched channel 7 as long as I can remember and still watch it.i appreciate 7 for giving info here in Covington.I like Chris and think he is doing great as well as all the people giving us news and weather.You will not have to worry about losing me and all members of my family.My 8 year old loves Leo the best.I think it is caused by me and him sending him get well wishes.aidan my grandson is a channel 7 lover!I do want to say keep on going!I will quit watching the news and weather if ever had to change to another channel.By the way all weather guys your weather is always on the money.Thanks again for keeping us informed here in covington
Maybe one of your problems is airing opinion rather news you air stories about people being upset that Obama won the election. If you must persist to keep the negative alive at least give equal time to those who are thrilled with the election results. Not sure either is worthy of news. As with other nrews these days these writings are really just opinions. We dont watch news to hear opinions. We want real news!
WDJB7 signal taken off Time Warner cable in Grundy and Buchanan County.
Can not watch 6 PM news with no signal on cable.
WDJB is the only true Virginia station for this part of Southwest Virginia.
WDBJ7 is the only station that has a strong signal on my TVs. The folks on hometown news report it; they don’t sensationalize it as channel 10 news people do with news, sports, and weather.
Keith Humphry was good, but it was time for him to retire. Robin Reed can’t be beat. He is a gentleman with class, not arrogant. He began weather education in our schools and others have copied him. He has been a wonderful resource for students in local schools as they study weather and climate in science classes. All of the Channel 7 weathermen have exceptional knowledge and class. Cutesy and sensational reporting has no place in reporting the news unless perhaps when reporting local children’s activities.
Channel 10 reports very little about Montgomery County, totally neglects Pulaski and Wythe Counties, giving Lynchburg additional attention. Channel 13 reports to Lynchburg by rights. Channel 7 reports the region more equally than any of the other stations.
Chris Hurst needs to go and be replaced by a HOMETOWN reporter with knowledge, talent, and class, like Robin Reed.