Fox 7 KTBC February 2014 ratings highlights

KTBC – Austin FEB’14 Highlights HH rtgs/shrs

The strength of the Super Bowl started the sweep off with a big win for KTBC and the success continued with significant increases in AM news, daytime, early fringe and early news. KTBC maintained or grew shares year-to-year and book-to-book in most dayparts against 18 days of the Winter Olympics.

AM NEWS:
· M-F 430-5A - KTBC increased its share year-to-year and book-to-book.
                                                        % shr increase
FEB’13     NOV’13     FEB’14       yr-to-yr book-to-book
0.5 / 3.9    0.5 / 3.8      0.8 / 6.1    +56% +61%

· Good Day Austin Saturday and Sunday grew the time period over last year, even against established AM news on the competition.
% shr increase

                     FEB’13         FEB’14      yr-to-yr
Sat 6-7A       0.0 / 0.2        0.6 / 4.0      inf
Sat 7-8A       0.1 / 0.6        0.8 / 3.6     +500%
Sun 6-7A      0.3 / 1.7        0.6 / 3.9     +129%
Sun 7-8A      0.3 / 1.2        0.9 / 4.2     +250%

· M-F 5A-6A - FOX 7 News at 5A grew over Nov’13’s performance.
                                         % shr increase
NOV’13     FEB’14         book-to-book
0.8 / 5.0     1.1 / 7.3        +46%

· M-F 6A-7A - FOX 7 News at 6A grew over Nov’13’s performance.
                                      % shr increase
NOV’13     FEB’14       book-to-book
1.7 / 7.2      1.9 / 8.6     +19%

· M-F 7A-8A – Good Day Austin -The 7AM hour grew share from FEB’13 and NOV’13.
                                                           % shr increase
FEB’13        NOV’13       FEB’14     yr-to-yr book-to-book
2.0 / 7.3        2.1 / 7.4       2.2 / 8.3     +14% +12%

· M-F 8A-9A – Good Day Austin The 8AM hour grew even more than the first hour.
                                  % shr increase
FEB’13        NOV’13       FEB’14       yr-to-yr book-to-book
1.8 / 6.5       1.8 / 6.5        2.4 / 8.8      +32% +32%

· M-F 9A-10A – The final hour of Good Day Austin posted substantial growth year-to-year and book-to-book.
                                                       % shr increase
FEB’13       NOV’13     FEB’14    yr-to-yr book-to-book
1.2 / 4.7      1.4 / 5.4     1.8 / 6.5    +38% +20%

DAYTIME:
· M-F 10A-11A – Wendy Williams grew audience from year-to-year and book-to-book.
                                                           % shr increase
FEB’13        NOV’13     FEB’14        yr-to-yr book-to-book
0.8 / 3.2       0.7 / 2.5     1.0 / 3.7        +16% +48%

· M-F 12N-1230P – FOX 7 News at 12N also grew audience from book-to-book.
                                       % shr increase
NOV’13       FEB’14      book-to-book
0.9 / 3.4       1.2 / 4.0     +18%

· M-F 1230P-1P – Dish Nation doubled its share over the November sweep.
                                                         % shr increase
FEB’13        NOV’13     FEB’14     yr-to-yr book-to-book
0.6 / 2.2        0.4 / 1.5     0.9 / 3.1    +41% +107%

· M-F 1-2P – Judge Alex and Divorce Court increased over November as well.
                                        % shr increase
NOV’13       FEB’14       book-to-book
0.7 / 2.4       1.1 / 3.7       +54%

· M-F 2-3P – TMZ Live picked up the non-Olympic viewers in the afternoon.
                                          % shr increase
NOV’13       FEB’14        book-to-book
0.6 / 2.1       0.9 / 3.0        +43%

Early Fringe:
· M-F 3-330P – Judge Judy had a significant increase over the NOV’13 book:
                                          % shr increase
NOV’13       FEB’14         book-to-book
1.2 / 3.8       1.9 / 5.6         +47%

Early News

· M-F 5-6P – FOX 7 News at 5P grew share over FEB’13:
                                           % shr increase
FEB’13         FEB’14         yr-to-yr
1.6 / 3.8         2.1 / 4.7       +24%

Prime Access

M-F 630-7P - The strength of “The Big Bang Theory” in access continued through the Feb sweep. Even with increased competition in the daypart with the launch of “Modern Family” last fall, “Big Bang” was the only program in access to grow share from Feb’13. “Big Bang” outdelivers “Modern Family” on KEYE, “ET” on KVUE and “Family Feud” on KNVA in HHs. “Big Bang” was #1 in NOV’13 in A18-49 and A25-54 and with the growth in the HH shares, Big Bang will be #1 in access again across key demos for FEB’14.

M-F 630-7P                 FEB’13       FEB’14            % share increase yr-to-yr
KTBC Big Bang          3.4 / 7.1       4.0 / 7.8              +10%
KXAN Wheel              6.0 / 12.7    6.4 / 12.3             -3%
KVUE ET                    3.9 / 8.3      3.5 / 6.7               -19%
KEYE Mod Family     2.1 / 4.4       1.7 / 3.3              -25%
KNVA Family Feud    2.2 / 4.5       1.5 / 2.9              -36%

Sat 630-7P - Big Bang grew on the weekend as well -
                                           % shr increase
FEB’13        FEB’14          yr-to-yr
1.9 / 4.3       3.0 / 6.5         +51%

Weekend Late News
Sat 9-10P – FOX 7 News at 9P grew share over FEB’13:
                                              % shr increase
FEB’13         FEB’14            yr-to-yr
2.1 / 4.2        2.4 / 4.7           +12%

Sun 9-10P – FOX 7 News at 9P grew share over FEB’13:
                                              % shr increase
FEB’13        FEB’14             yr-to-yr
1.8 / 2.9       2.2 / 3.7            +28%

Weekend Late Fringe
Sat 10-11P – Animation grew share over FEB’13:
                                                % shr increase
FEB’13        FEB’14               yr-to-yr
0.6 / 1.3        0.9 / 1.8              +38%

Sat 11-1130P – Big Bang 11P grew share over FEB’13:
                                                % shr increase
FEB’13         FEB’14              yr-to-yr
0.8 / 2.3        1.2 / 3.1             +35%

Sun 10-1030P – Big Bang 10P grew share over FEB’13:
                                                % shr increase
FEB’13          FEB’14             yr-to-yr
2.0 / 4.0         2.4 / 4.8            +20%

(This post taken from a release sent to me by Fox Television Stations)

Ume out of Austin brings rock music back

Cool band out of Texas that is playing SXSW this week. Take a listen here.

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Ume is Lauren Larson (Vocals, Guitar), Eric Larson (Bass), and Rachel Fuhrer (Drums) and rarely is the platform for women in rock updated as authoritatively as its been done with this band. The trio's music is one of beautiful juxtapositions: the loud and soft, the aggressive and eerie, buoyant melodies bursting through wall-of-noise dissonance. Ume explores the artier, heavier side of indie rock, post-punk, and alternative rock and have already garnered the attention of Nylon, who declared, "This band is ready to break out in a whole new way... A little like fuzzy shoegaze, raw garage rock and irresistible pop all rolled into one fiery package," while Village Voice proclaimed "Ume immediately won me over with their raucous bursts of guitar-driven art rock, with front woman Lauren Larson threatening to take the whole thing off the rails with the abuse of her guitar strings. Still, underneath this Ume possesses an air of intelligence and depth rare in a genre known primarily for its copious drug use. When it comes to art, psychedelia, and rock and roll, it doesn't get much better.

Katie McCall exits KTRK abc13

Katie McCall leaves KTRK abc13, marking end of second TV stop in Houston

UPDATE OCTOBER 20, 2015
Katie McCall to leave FOX 26 KRIV

UPDATE APRIL 24, 2014
Katie McCall joins FOX 26 after KTRK 13

Katie McCall

After five years as a weekend anchor/reporter at KTRK abc13, Katie McCall tells mikemcguff.com she has decided to leave the ABC owned station for a higher-profile anchoring gig.

The KTRK gig was her second time on Houston TV.

McCall returned to Houston in 2009 from WBBM Chicago to anchor KTRK's weekend morning newscasts. In May 2013, she transitioned into a full-time weekday reporter role, desiring more normal working hours she tells me.

Before that, McCall reported six years for KIAH 39 in the early days of that station's revived newscast. At channel 39, the award winning journalist was named "best local TV news reporter" by the Houston Press in 2004. Remember the KHWB and KHCW call letters channel 39 used to have back then?

McCall originally came to Houston from KGUN 9 Tucson where she worked as a reporter.

She is a cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University.

McCall will let us know her next stop as soon as all the details are worked out.   In the meantime, those who have emailed me about her absence from channel 13, can watch McCall's greatest hits here.

UPDATE APRIL 24, 2014
Katie McCall joins FOX 26 after KTRK 13


RELATED
- Christi Myers to retire from KTRK abc13
- Adela Uchida gone from abc13 KTRK with expanded weekend news on the way
- Brian Collister to leave KTRK abc13
- Simon Gutierrez exits KTRK abc13 for KPTV Portland

Classic Houston TV news clips

Travel back in time to the late 80s-early 90s days of Houston television news


Time for some classic Houston television clips I found just posted on YouTube.

KHOU 11 News Update w/ Marlene McClinton, 5/1989
KPRC - Ron Stone's Scene at Five World Tour '89 Promos
Gallery Furniture / KZFX Z107 "Hacked" Commercial, 5/1989
KPRC John McPherson Promos, 1/1991
KPRC Channel Two News Nightcast Tease, 1/1991
KTRK 13 Eyewitness News at 6 Close, 11/16/1997
KPRC Channel Two News Long Close, 11/5/1991

Media out in force at Rodeo Houston

I had a great time on Rodeo Houston's 2014 opening day Tuesday. Here are some of the highlights.

It all started with the media celebrity goat milking contest. Before the event started, I cowboy upped and lassoed media folks for interviews. They did not appreciate my attempts to brand them with my blog's URL however.

)
I didn't win, but I didn't lose either. Not bad for my first attempt. Maggie Flecknoe of CW 39 KIAH took this one home. She was able to overcome perennial winners like Outlaw Dave and Sunny 99.1 KODA's Dana Tyson.

Afterwards, I stumbled across the Cox broadcasting mobile studio nestled in between Reliant Stadium and Center. I was impressed. 93Q KKBQ was going live, taking phone calls, interacting with the rodeo crowd and hitting social media all at the same time.

Saw @kellyryan_ at the @TheNew93Q rodeo booth. Mobile broadcasting at its finest. #rodeohouston #FordTX pic.twitter.com/YRngFbclYe
— mike mcguff (@mikemcguff) March 4, 2014

Ford was nice enough to get my wife and me inside it's Reliant Stadium suite to watch the rodeo and Brad Paisley. Ahead of time I checked out its new series of King Ranch F150, F350 and Expedition vehicles. The brand new F150 King Ranch design will hit dealers by the end of the year. For you techies out there, check out the USB, SD and line-in slots I found in the King Ranch Expedition!

The new Ford Expedition King Ranch has two USB ports, an SD card slot, line in plus a real power outlet. #FordTX pic.twitter.com/rxm68silvM
— mike mcguff (@mikemcguff) March 5, 2014

Look who I saw inside Reliant Stadium...is it Brad Paisley or The High Tech Texan?

Am I with Brad Paisley or @garf? #rodeohouston #FordTX pic.twitter.com/cbKuATRzn8
— mike mcguff (@mikemcguff) March 5, 2014

See you out there more this week!

KTRK abc13 10pm election coverage preempted by commercials & 'Inside Edition'

'Technical difficulties' cancel most of KTRK abc13's 10pm Texas primary election coverage

As I was returning from the opening of Rodeo Houston tonight, I was getting deluged by KTRK abc13 viewers asking what's going on with the ABC owned station's Texas primary coverage at 10pm. Not only that, I'm sure the crummy weather had people tuning in too.

On an aside, I would like to thank Ford and its new series of King Ranch F150, F350 and Expedition vehicles for a great time at the rodeo. The brand new F150 King Ranch design will hit dealers by the end of the year. For you techies out there, check out the USB, SD and line-in slots I found in the King Ranch Expedition!

Multiple reports on social media and alerted me the station ran 15 minutes of promos, then started running Inside Edition. Around 10:20pm, an abbreviated newscast cut into Inside Edition. The anchors apparently said technical difficulties were to blame for the delayed start.

The station took to Facebook to explain the situation.

We're experiencing technical difficulties on right now and are working to get Eyewitness News on shortly.

Naturally KTRK viewers jumped on the station's Facebook page to have a little fun:

"Guess Wayne and Bob Allen finally sabotage the station. Lol"

"You interrupted Inside Edition"

KTRK had other instances of technical troubles in 2013. One newscast in that time period ended with anchor Dave Ward apologizing to viewers for a "train wreck" of a newscast [WATCH THE VIDEO].

So the number one question I get: Why is this kind of thing happening? Obviously I was not there and no one officially will ever tell me, but I can point out to recent technological advances [ahem] that have hit the TV industry.

Many stations, like KTRK, have started using automation systems. This means that a computer, not a human, is actually directing the newscasts, turning on/off the microphones, inserting graphics, playing the video clips...etc. This means a bunch of computer systems from different companies have to talk and work together. So when 10pm newscasts fail to air, you can probably look to the rise of the machines.

RELATED
- KTRK abc13 newscasts cancelled by 'maintenance work'
- Dave Ward apologizes for abc13 KTRK newscast
- KTRK abc13 has technical difficulties during Houston #Texans vs Minnesota Vikings game
- KTRK abc13 debuts new 6:30pm newscast w/ Erik Barajas & Ilona Carson
- Why was KTRK abc13's 10pm newscast late?

Houston media moves and TV retirements

Two Houston TV photographers retire after multiple decades on the job

Houstonian Melinda Davenport joins WISN 12 News anchor team
WISN-TV announces Melinda Davenport as the new breaking news anchor on “WISN 12 News This Morning.” Davenport comes to WISN-TV from its sister station WMUR in Manchester, New Hampshire. She interned both at KTRK abc13 and FOX 26 KRIV before moving to New England to begin her TV news career.

I hear KHOU 11 photographer Dave Westerhaus is retiring after 37 years on the job.

Fox 26 KRIV photographer ‎Jim Dunham retires from the station after around 25 years.

News 92 FM KROI reporter Jonathan McCall has left to work as an anchor/reporter at FOX 23 Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was previously the main anchor/executive producer at KAVU in Victoria.

Freelance sports writer Amanda Rykoff lists on her Twitter account she will soon be working Houston Astros social media.

KTRK abc13 and Univision 45 KXLN team up for Affordable Care Act info

Wednesday, March 5 from 5p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

KXLN Univision 45 and KTRK ABC-13, in partnership, will host the first Affordable Care Act (ACA) phone bank on Wednesday March 5, 2014 from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The general public can dial in to 1-855-841-4545 with questions about the ACA.

“We are very pleased to work with ABC-13 to bring vital information about Affordable Care Act to the community,” said David Loving, senior vice president and general manager, KXLN Univision 45/KFTH UniMás 67 Houston. “Many consumers are still unaware of the implications of the health reform. We believe phone banks are an excellent vehicle of connecting experts and the general public to address questions about important issues, including the ACA process,” added Loving.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this historic collaboration with our friends at Univision. We look forward to a successful event and informing the many communities we serve,” said Henry Florsheim, president and general manager of KTRK-TV.

During the phone bank, qualified, bilingual volunteers from the Texas Organizing Project will answer ACA related questions from the general public from the Univision studios in Houston.

The ACA registration deadline is March 31, 2014.

For more information about the affordable care act phone bank, please visit Univision45.com or
abc13.com.

(This post taken from a release sent to me by Univision 45 KXLN and KTRK abc13)

**This post has been updated with a revised version of the release

Texas Associated Press Broadcasters competition 2013

Texas Associated Press (AP) television winners for 2013-2014 were announced.

TV WINNERS

RADIO WINNERS

Congrats to all of the winners!

I'd post all of them here, but the AP would probably send me a cease and desist.

Vicente Arenas' big CBS News send-off party pics

KHOU's Vicente Arenas celebrated by Houston media

KHOU 11 weekend anchor Vicente Arenas is off to CBS News Miami and his TV friends were celebrating his time in Houston.

The big bash took place last Friday at Irma's Mexican restaurant in downtown Houston.

I'm told it was an intimate gathering with folks from KHOU 11, KTRK 13 and KPRC 2 in attendance. The Mariachis were a surprise and Arenas loved it.

Everyone there wants you to know Arenas is a great guy, who will be missed.