05-10-2011 KMBC SWEEPING SWEEPS AT HALFWAY POINT KMBC has dominated the ratings in Kansas City for so long that few people cannot remember when the ABC affiliate didn't lead the pack. And as the May sweeps period (April 28-May 25) nears the halfway point (8 of 20 days), KMBC is once again in the ratings driver's seat by leading in every major news period. On the other hand, WDAF-FOX4, which had been doing increasingly better in the ratings, is not having a good sweeps period so far. The FOX4 morning crew, which dominated the ratings in the mornings for years, now seems to be falling further behind KMBC and is now firmly entrenched in second place. However, the situation is even worse for FOX4 at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. where the station is dead last. The expansion of FOX4's 10 p.m. news to a full hour and the addition of new co-anchor Abby Eden to complement veteran Phil Witt has not delivered ratings yet. KSHB is also having some major problems during this ratings period, particularly in mornings where the NBC affiliate is in last place. The station has even dropped below KCTV, which has been reeling since it broke up the morning team of Dana Wright and Chris Pisano months ago. Veteran anchor Elizabeth Alex, who now only does the 6 p.m. news at KSHB, is tied with KCTV for second place at that time period. However, the continued indecisiveness in filling KSHB's key 10 p.m. anchor spot, may be the reason the station is in the third spot at that all-important time period. The station had hoped to announce its new 10 p.m. anchor prior to the sweeps, but that process continues to drag on. KCTV is holding down the second spot to KMBC at 6 and 10 p.m. The CBS affiliate has delivered at least one blockbuster story during sweeps and is also running a contest to lure viewers that may be delivering results.
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