TV Q&A: How are ratings for KDKA’s 7:30 p.m. newscast?

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.

Q: How have the ratings been for KDKA’s 7:30 p.m. news broadcast compared to the show it replaced, “Extra”?

— Lucas via email

Rob: Looking at the most recent completed sweeps period, November 2020, switching from the syndicated show “Extra” to local news resulted in ratings gains for KDKA-TV in the 7:30 p.m. weekday time period.

In November 2019, “Extra” on KDKA had a 3.6 rating and 6 share in household ratings, landing it in third place behind “Wheel of Fortune” on WPXI and “Entertainment Tonight” on WTAE. KDKA also ranked third in the 25-54 age demo with a 1.8/5.

In November 2020, just three months after its premiere, KDKA’s 7:30 p.m. newscast anchored by Meghan Schiller was just barely third, behind second-place WTAE by just 1/10th of a ratings point with a 4.6/8 in households. In the demo, KDKA leap into second place with a 1.9/6, putting Channel 2’s news ahead of “ET” on WTAE.

So when viewers ask why there is so much time on local stations devoted to news, the reason is clear: Pittsburgh viewers tune in for it.

Q: I noticed Channel 2’s field reporters are wearing masks, yet in-studio reporters aren’t. I thought CDC guidelines were if 6 feet (2 yards) were impossible, wear a mask. The field reporters, except for the camera operator or other technical people, there’s no one around them for 5 to 10 yards or more. Another thing, the reporters are hard to understand when they’re speaking through the masks. Someone should tell KDKA’s management to ease the mask restrictions to the field reporters so they can be heard and understood.

— Jon via email

Rob: I made a point of tuning in to listen and had no problem understanding KDKA’s field reporters or the people they interviewed, all of whom were wearing masks.

The key difference between the in-studio crew and those in the field is that field reporters are out interviewing people in-person.

Reporters are being attacked in the field with greater frequency these days so when reporters are doing a live-shot solo, they are wise to take precautions as there’s always the chance some covid-spewing yahoo could run up to them.

Q: Whatever happened to Jackie Cain?

— Phil, Brackenridge

Rob: Cain left WTAE in September 2018 for a job as an anchor at KSTP-TV, the ABC affiliate in Minneapolis.

Q: What are participants on shows like “Maury” and “Judge Judy” paid or reimbursed?

— Joe via email

Rob: The courtroom shows, like “Judge Judy,” pay whatever the verdict is. “Judge Judy” also pays an appearance fee ($150-$500) and for participants’ flight, hotel and meals.

My understanding is “Maury” pays for flight, travel and meals but maybe not always an appearance fee.

Q. You mentioned a movie called “Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies.” How can I see it?

— Peter via voicemail

Rob: When I looked, the 2014 shot-in-Charleroi movie was available from YouTube ($2.99 to rent, $8.99 to buy) or Apple TV ($3.99/$8.99). It could also be purchased on Amazon.com (around $20).

Q: Do you know if medical drama “Transplant” will have a second season and if NBC will carry it?

— Dave, Washington, Pa.

Rob: The Canadian import had already been renewed for a second season in its home country and NBC got on board with a season two order in December.