The Phoenix

Ch. 10's non-broadcast beats competitors

Just how difficult is it for the competitors of Channel 10 to overcome the perennial ratings leader in local TV news?

So much so that WJAR still beat the combined ratings of Channels 6 and 12, for the period between 6:45 and 7 AM this past Wednesday -- even though the NBC station's on-air personnel had left the set due to what turned out to be a false fire alarm.

Channel 10 scored a 5.1 for that rating period, while 6 and 12 got a combined 4.7. The typical recent ratings for the same period are 7 for WJAR, 2 for WPRI, and 1 for WLNE, according to Channel 10 GM Lisa Churchville.

"It just tells you what a tough, competitive environment it is," says Stephen Doerr, GM of WLNE-TV (Channel 6), which has plans to beef up its morning report. "I give them credit for being as well-entrenched as they are." In effect, notes Doerr, WJAR's viewers waited for morning anchor Frank Coletta to return to the set for 15 minutes.

This video shows Coletta finishing a report as the fire alarm can be heard in the background. He says:

"We might be back in just a moment -- there's some kind of alarm going off in the building -- or we might not. If we're not back, we'll put something else on the air to keep you updated on the news. Stay tuned [chuckle]. This should be interesting."

The news report was replaced with a graphic indicating a temporary delay in coverage at WJAR, which has long benefited from being the first TV station in Rhode Island.

Jay Howell, GM of Channel 12, couldn't be reached for immediate comment.

Churchville says TV viewers have a general inclination to stick with a station even if it goes blank on rare occasions. She also attributed the situation to how 10's morning broadcast serves as a lead-in for the popular Today show. WJAR is supposed to use a feed from MSNBC if its own programming is unavailable, but the fire alarm didn't leave time to make the necessary switch, she says.

Then again, says a source at the station, "It's an indication of how tough it's going to be to knock Channel 10 out of first place."

Published Sep 19 2008, 03:22 PM by Ian Donnis

Knowledge said:

I know why Channel 10 is doing better, because of stories like this done by Channel 6 (see below). Its not the substance that the complaint is about, but the misspelling of "councilors". I brought it to their attention and they quickly corrected it, but the point is if you read their stories or listen to their reporters, they very often misspell or misuse words. In a prior story, a reporter used the word "whizzing" out of traffic..."whizzing"? Are you kidding me...speeding out of traffic? I highly doubt that was meant. What was meant was "weaving" out of traffic. These mistakes most often occur with the morning reporters. This could be a factor that plays in as to why Channel 10 is doing better in the morning broadcast. Channel 6 bagged some very good reporters last year and in effect brought in unseasoned reporters who are completely lackluster in their profession and are reflecting this onto their broadcast.

"Grief councilors are on hand for students at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River after the sudden death of a teacher Monday night.

Stephen Blanchette, a 21-year veteran at Diman, apparently took his own life on Monday night.

Nearly 1,400 students were delayed going to school Tuesday and a flag is flying at half-staff in front of the school as students and faculty remember Blanchette.

Blanchette was also a student at Diman years ago. He followed his love for kids and became a machine shop teacher and eventually a department head, where he taught 120 students everyday.

School superintendent Rogerio Ramos says Blanchette wasn't just a co-worker, but a friend to everyone. Ramos says despite this unfortunate incident, Blanchette was an inspiration and he hopes people will remember him as just that.

ABC 6 reporter Malini Basu has more..."

October 1, 2008 10:12 AM
Keith said:

"A Central Falls family is trying to make sense of their 2 1/2 month old daughter."

This is a line directly from ABC6s' website on a story about a couple and their daugher that passed away...what is the family to trying to make sense of? I think they left out the word "death"....idiots.

January 8, 2009 2:42 PM