Milwaukee's always been a public television town. Now it's got the No. 1 ratings to show it.
WMVS-TV (Channel 10) was the highest-rated PBS station in a metered market in the United States during the February "sweeps" rating period, according to Nielsen Media Research data released by the station.
From sign-on to sign-off in February, WMVS had an average of 0.57 rating point and a 1.46 share; a rating point is the equivalent of 8,484 Milwaukee-area households.
(For context, Milwaukee's largest commercial TV stations typically report overall ratings averages of 1.5to 3.0points.)
WMVS' ratings were up more than 16 percent from the same period last year, according to Milwaukee PBS, which operates WMVS, WMVT-TV (Channel 36) and four digital substations, including the local PBS Kids channel.
Milwaukee's main PBS station has regularly been among the most-watched public TV stations in the country. In November, its prime-time lineup ranked second among PBS stations nationwide.
"We are the No. 1 PBS affiliate in the country because southeastern Wisconsin has a track record of being uniquely supportive of public television,"Bohdan Zachary, general manager of Milwaukee PBS, said in a statement.
The station also attributed the ratings boost to the return to Milwaukee public TV of "Doc Martin," the popular British series that just began a new season; and the airing of the 100th episode of "Around the Corner With John McGivern," one of the highest-rated, locally produced programs on PBS stations in the country, according to Milwaukee PBS.
Contact Chris Foran at (414) 224-2182or chris.foran@jrn.com. Followhimon Twitter at @cforan12,Instagram at @chrisforansofcourseorFacebook atwww.facebook.com/cforan12.
As a seasoned media analyst and television enthusiast with an extensive background in broadcasting trends and audience analytics, I can confidently provide insights into the impressive success of Milwaukee's public television station, WMVS-TV (Channel 10). My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of television ratings methodologies, particularly the Nielsen Media Research data, which is widely recognized as the industry standard for audience measurement.
The February "sweeps" rating period results, released by Nielsen Media Research and reported by Milwaukee PBS, showcase WMVS-TV's outstanding achievement as the highest-rated PBS station in a metered market in the United States. This is no small feat, considering the competitive landscape of television broadcasting. The station's average rating of 0.57 points and a 1.46 share during this period underscore its significant viewership, with a rating point representing 8,484 Milwaukee-area households.
What stands out even more is the remarkable year-over-year growth, with WMVS' ratings increasing by over 16 percent from the same period the previous year. This substantial uptick is a testament to the station's ability to resonate with its audience and maintain or expand its viewership.
Milwaukee PBS, the entity overseeing WMVS-TV (Channel 10) among other channels, including WMVT-TV (Channel 36) and several digital substations, attributed the success to several factors. Notably, the return of the popular British series "Doc Martin" and the airing of the 100th episode of "Around the Corner With John McGivern" played pivotal roles in boosting ratings. "Around the Corner With John McGivern" is highlighted as one of the highest-rated, locally produced programs on PBS stations nationwide, adding a unique local flavor to the station's programming lineup.
Bohdan Zachary, the general manager of Milwaukee PBS, emphasized the unwavering support of southeastern Wisconsin for public television, asserting that the region's commitment has contributed to WMVS-TV becoming the No. 1 PBS affiliate in the country. This statement aligns with my understanding of the importance of regional viewer engagement in shaping the success of television stations.
In conclusion, the February ratings success of WMVS-TV (Channel 10) is a multifaceted achievement driven by strategic programming choices, local content appeal, and the steadfast support of the southeastern Wisconsin audience. This exceptional performance solidifies Milwaukee's position as a stronghold for public television, a fact underscored by the station's consistent high rankings on a national scale.
