Lazare: DTV doesn't change TV ratings; ABC7's Ryan Chiaverini promoted


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Posted by chicagomedia.org on July 02, 2009 at 15:48:22:

TV news rankings steady

DIGITAL TRANSITION | Technology doesn't massively alter ratings

July 2, 2009

LEWIS LAZARE Media & Marketing columnist

Last month's long-awaited TV digital transition, which interrupted service to some Chicago area homes, didn't massively alter the rankings among the major local players in the flagship 10 p.m. news ratings race. The June Nielsen ratings book released Wednesday shows ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 still sitting comfortably atop the pack with an 8.7 share, a dip from an 8.9 rating Monday through Friday a year ago.

But the June ratings book offered a bit of hope -- which could be fleeting -- for second-place NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5. Due in part to reported stronger lead-in numbers, the station saw its 10 p.m rating inch upward to a 7.0 from a 6.7 a year ago. Perhaps more viewers also were drawn to the station's 10 p.m. news because of the drama surrounding the retirement of co-anchor Warner Saunders and the lingering question about who would succeed him. As we now know, that question remains unanswered, as WMAQ has gone with a rotating co-anchor arrangement for the time being.

Meanwhile, ratings-challenged CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 continues to move in the right direction -- though not by leaps and bounds. It scored a 4.0 rating at 10 p.m., up from a 3.6 a year ago. The real loser at 10 p.m. was Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32's news, which plummeted to a 1.4 from a 2.0 a year ago.

Both WFLD and Tribune Co.-owned WGN-Channel 9 also had troubling drops in their flagship hourlong 9 p.m. newscasts. WGN had a 5.0 rating, down from a 5.9 a year ago, while WFLD's 9 p.m. newscast scored a 2.4 rating, down from 3.3 a year ago.


Chiaverini moves up

An engaging presence on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7's on-air talent roster, Ryan Chiaverini, 31, is moving up at the station. He has been promoted to weekend sports anchor/reporter, filling the vacancy left after former weekend sports anchor Jeff Blanzy quietly exited last month, when his last contract expired after an 11-year run at the station.

If nothing else, Blanzy's departure proved that even market leader WLS is not immune to the economic downturn and staff downsizings that have affected all local TV affiliates. Chiaverini joined WLS in 2006 as a sports reporter and fill-in anchor. In his relatively short tenure, he has perhaps most distinguished himself on the football beat, while also hosting the football-themed "The Chicago Huddle." WLS News Director Jennifer Graves said Chiaverini "works hard and makes it all look easy."

That he does, and with that touch of attitude he brings to his reportage, we could see him evolving into a junior version of his pleasingly flippant WLS colleague Mark Giangreco.

(Chicago Sun-Times)


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