LOCAL BROADCAST TV CONTINUES TO INCREASE NEWS CONTENT

Americans consistently list local television stations as their main, and most trusted, source for news and information.  Local news teams continue to meet these needs by expanding the number of hours of local news on the air.

A Katz 5-year analysis of local news during the May sweep periods (across all NSI markets) shows the consistent upward trend in hours of local TV news.  In May 2022, there were over 19 hours of local news per weekday, per market on the 4-major affiliates.  This equates to a 5-year increase of close to 2 hours per day, a +10% over May 2018. 

Methodology: Total quarter-hours of local news for the 4-affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX),

M-F local news programming, including repeats, which aired on fully reportable, local market stations.

Source: NSI, dates as listed.

LOCAL TV NEWS GAINS SHARE OF VIEWING

THE AUDIENCE RESPONDS

Along with increases in the number of hours of local news comes increased share of viewing, particularly among younger viewers.  Total audience shares for local news on the 4-affliates, May'22 vs. May'21, shows an upward trend for most major demos with the largest gains coming from younger viewers (W18-34 +7% and M18-34 +9%.)

Methodology: 4-affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) average share per market, sum of all markets.

Includes all M-F local news programming, including repeats, which aired on fully reportable, local market stations.

Source: NSI, dates as listed.