Sinclair Broadcasting ("Nightline" Boycott) Take Ratings Dive

[Sticky]

News Central sinks ratings at WPGH
Thursday, June 24, 2004

By Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It's been a little more than a year since Sinclair Broadcasting News Centralized WPGH's 10 p.m. news. Yes, consider "News Centralized" a new verb. Think of it like the Borg on "Star Trek": "Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."

What was once a solid local newscast changed overnight into an unusual hybrid, part local newscast, part carrier of national and international news and weather piped in from Sinclair's headquarters in suburban Baltimore. It was an awkward mix from the start. The local news remained objective and fair, while national news reports came with a decidedly conservative bent.

The mix also appeared to limit what the newscast could lead with: Local news makes up the first block, requiring national stories to wait until News Central kicks in later in the first half-hour.

A year later, ratings are down -- they began dropping the month News Central began -- and news manager Sharon Ritchey is out, fired after the February ratings period. A permanent replacement has not been named.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04176/336547.stm

[Systematic Chaos]

1. I believe that in Las Vegas Sinclair is on the WB station

I watch WB because of Smallville, Charmed, The Gillmore Girls and other shows. Rarely do I listen to their (or any other television station's) news programs. However, there are times when I'll be playing on the computer and won't get up to turn off the TV until after the news has started. They always have some jerk come on doing an op-ed segment that is just TOTAL wingnut folderol. Every time I hear this gasbag I just have to laugh.

Good. I'm glad they're not doing well... it serves them right.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. With a little "luck", Sinclair could become the next ENRON.