RATINGS GROWTH AND SEPTEMBER’S PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
posted by Laura McKee
AZPM’s new programming initiatives continue to build audience. July television ratings indicate that our full day viewership for PBS 6 increased by 7% from last year, and grew 25% in primetime. The number one show during this rating period was “A Capitol Fourth” that aired on July 4th. Sunday night continues to be the top night with Masterpiece at 8:00 p.m. as the peak performer. Monday night’s Antiques Roadshow broadcast remains the number three program on PBS 6.1
The new ReadyTV channel continues to grow as well. ReadyTV ‘s audience reach increased 25% for the full day and by 200% in primetime. Viewership increased by 7% in full day and 125% in primetime.1
On the radio side, NPR 89.1 maintains its top rank among other news/talk stations in the Tucson market in the Spring Arbitron ratings report. NPR 89.1 also set a new record for cumulative audience in the region that includes Pima, Pinal, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties. In its target 50+ demographic (as designated by the Strategic Plan), NPR 89.1’s Tucson metro listeners grew by 4.8% over the number for the previous Spring. Classical 90.5’s Tucson metro listeners increased by 5.7% during the same period.2
The Your Vote 2012 campaign continues with broad coverage of all local, state and regional political news. Tune in to Arizona Illustrated, Arizona Week, and AZ Illustrated Political Roundtable on PBS 6, listen to NPR 89.1, and visit online at azpm.org/yourvote for the latest candidate interviews, political forums, interactive district maps, and ballot initiatives.
I am sure you will find the Fall TV line-up on PBS 6 truly entertaining. The September membership drive on PBS 6, “That’s Entertainment,” includes special programs; “Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2”, “Tony Bennett’s Duets II,” “Big Band Vocalists,” “Great Performances at the Met: Wagner’s Ring Cycle,” and much more.
Your support each year helps AZPM provide the engaging, entertaining, and educational programs you have grown to love. September also brings new premieres and specials, including: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood - Premieres on September 3rd and airs weekdays on PBS 6 at 10 a.m., and PBS Kids at 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A new generation of preschool “neighbors” will get to experience the ‘Neighborhood of Make-Believe’ with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the first TV series inspired by the iconic, award-winning Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
“Broadway or Bust” - Premieres on Sunday, September 16th on PBS 6 at 6 p.m. PBS is bound for Broadway with a three-hour primetime documentary series that tracks the real life stories of America’s top high school musical performers, vying in the ultimate competition to find the nation’s best young theater stars.
MASTERPIECE Mystery! “Wallender III” – Also premiering on Sundays in September on PBS 6, are three gripping new episodes of Wallender. Kenneth Branagh returns to his Emmy-nominated role as the soul-searching Swedish detective created by best-selling novelist Henning Mankell. Episodes one and two, “An Event in Autumn” and “The Dogs of Riga” debut on Sunday, the 16th at 8 and 9 p.m. The third episode, “Before the Frost,” airs at 8 p.m. on Sunday the 23rd.
American Experience: “Death & The Civil War” – From the acclaimed filmmaker Ric Burns, this special two-hour documentary airs on Tuesday the 18th at 8 p.m., and charts the political and social changes wrought by the pervasive fear of death during the Civil War.
Doc Martin – The Southern Arizona premiere of the first season of this BBC hit series starts Thursdays, September 20th at 9 p.m. on PBS 6. This British TV comedy drama stars Martin Clunes as Dr. Martin Ellingham, whose truculence and tactless manner causes mayhem in a small Cornish community.
Your support is our largest source of funding, and it’s an investment that benefits everyone in the community. Thank you sincerely for your commitment to Arizona Public Media.
Jack Gibson
1. Nielsen Station Index and TRAC Media Services 2. Arbitron, Inc. from Radio Research Consortium, Inc., Spring 2011, Spring 2012, TSA Cume, Metro AQH share, 12+, 50+.
