News ratings down to wire-The Sing Off

SOURCE

December 5, 2010

For local TV newsrooms, it could be a November to remember.

Less than one ratings point separates first from fourth at 6-7 a.m. in household ratings based on 375 Nielsen meters here. WKRC-TV (Channel 12) wins, followed by WCPO-TV (Channel 9), WLWT-T (Channel 5) and WXIX-TV (Channel 19).

But the demographic breakouts from 1,110 diaries may tell a different story, based on October breakouts for viewers ages 25-54 used to sell commercials.

In October, Channel 12 was fourth 6-7 a.m. in the money demographic. Channels 19 and 9 tied for first.

"If the same trend follows in November, it's going to be a big story... when the demos are released," says Bill Fee, Channel 9 general manager.

In household ratings, Channel 12 wins at noon, 5 and 11 p.m. But Channel 9 reclaimed the top spot for the 5:30 and 6 p.m. news, which Channel 12 won in May sweeps. "Oprah Winfrey," in her final season, bounced back to first place.

Ratings for Channel 19 - which just dropped anchor Dan Carroll - fell 16 percent from 10 p.m. last November, and 48 percent at 6 p.m.

Kettering kids on Lachey's show

Nick Lachey might look like an impartial host on NBC's "The Sing-Off," but deep down he may be rooting for Kettering Fairmont High School's Eleventh Hour choir. Nick's father, John Lachey, went to that school.

"It's exciting to see the state of Ohio represented in this competition," says Lachey, who hosts the second season premiere Monday (8-10 p.m., Channel 5).

The contemporary a capella choir competes with nine other groups for $100,000. The first four shows were taped earlier this year - which is why Lachey can be at the Cincinnati Zoo Monday honoring Boys & Girls Club scholars.

Celebrity judges Nicole Scherzinger ("Dancing with the Stars" and Pussycat Dolls), Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five) and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) will critique the singers for four shows through Dec. 15, and eliminate seven groups. Viewers will choose a winner from the three finalists on the Dec. 20 finale.

Lachey, a 1992 School for Creative & Performing Arts graduate, hinted during an NBC conference call that he may sing on the show.

But he has no plans to reunite his 98° group, like the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block have done. "We remain in contact with each other... (but) there's no imminent plan to go out on tour or do anything together," he says.