ZEFF-LESS KCTV5 SKIDDING IN EARLY SWEEPS RACE The February sweeps period has just begun, but KCTV5 is already far behind KMBC-TV9 after one week. This is despite numerous technical glitches during virtually every KMBC news segment. KCTV lost the first night of the book by two ratings points at 10 p.m. and by five full ratings points on Monday at 10 p.m. The 10 p.m. news is the most important ratings period and the one that helps establish rates for advertisers. The CBS affiliate had won or finished a close second to KMBC in every ratings period when executive producer of special projects Sam Zeff (below) was directing investigative pieces. With his departure it seems as if the station is already in big trouble.
KCTV's Sam Zeff
Sam Zeff, executive producer of special projects at KCTV5, who was given much of the credit for the station's dramatic rise to the top of the local TV ratings, is no longer with the station. No official reason for his departure has been made, however, KCMO-710AM morning talk show host Chris Stigall announced it on his show (12/12). When Zeff joined the station a few years ago the CBS affiliate was mired in second or third place far behind perennial ratings leader KMBC-TV9. Almost immediately Zeff and investigative reporter Steve Chamraz did a blockbuster piece on Internet predators that catapulted the station into the ratings lead at 10 p.m. That sweeps piece evolved nationally into the "To Catch a Predator" stings across the country. After Chamraz departed to the bigger market of St. Louis at KMOV, Ash-Har Quraishi joined KCTV and the string of blockbuster sweeps pieces continued. In the latest ratings KCTV and KMBC tied at the key 10 p.m. news segment. KCTV did a major November sweeps piece on where Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline resides that has generated tremendous controversy.
