Most Watched PBS stations

[KTN Corp]

Does anyone know where a such a list exists? Wiki sure doesn't have one and I can't find one on Google.

From what I could construct from Wiki:

1.WNET
2.KQED
3.WLIW
4.?
5.KLCS
6.KOCE
7.?
8.?
9.?
10.?
etc...

 

[Robnoxious]

If KLCS and KOCE (personally I think those two are ranked way too high) occupy that list then KCET Los Angeles should sit solidly at #4.

WGBH Boston should get monster viewership simply because they produce most of PBS' biggest programs

 

[easttxtv]

I've heard before (can't remember where) that KERA/13 in Dallas has been one of the most watched, but I've never seen any constructive Nielsen data. I would tend to believe it, since it airs not only in the DFW market, but distantly on cable in Tyler/Longview, Wichita Falls, and Sherman/Denison (among others?)--none of which has their own PBS affiliate. KERA was available on cable in Amarillo until 1988, when KACV/2 debuted there.

 

[Markxxx]

WTTW Channel 11 Chicago claims to be the most watch PBS station. I don't know what they base that claim on though.

 

[KTN Corp]

If KLCS and KOCE (personally I think those two are ranked way too high) occupy that list then KCET Los Angeles should sit solidly at #4.

WGBH Boston should get monster viewership simply because they produce most of PBS' biggest programs

CORRECTION: KCET should be on the #2 spot instead of KQED. I must have mixed it up when I was speculating where KQED could be on the list.

 

[genius]

My guess is that stations with the big guns are usually the most watched. This would include WNET, KCET, KQED, WGBH, KERA, WETA, Maryland Public TV, WTTW, WHYY, North Carolina Public TV, and possibly KRMA. Just a guess.

 

[Mark Giardina]

I would have to agree with the theory that most PBS stations in major markets have a larger viewing audience than in medium and especially smaller markets.

As for what the rankings are, I personally have no idea; sorry. ???

 

[Markxxx]

People with higher educations tend to watch more PBS, so in markets like Boston and San Francisco, with many people with higher college degrees would be more likely to watch PBS.

 

[formeraa]

What about KCTS in Seattle?

 

[jal41]

People with higher educations tend to watch more PBS, so in markets like Boston and San Francisco, with many people with higher college degrees would be more likely to watch PBS.

That tends to be true for PBS and NPR...you could also add Raleigh/Durham (WUNC) to that list, and maybe Minneapolis (KTCA/KTCI) and Seattle (KCTS). I don't know where Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington, Atlanta, Denver, or New York would place on those lists. A study of the percentage of college graduates in a certain area could give you a glimpse based on this theory, but the numbers will be different from market to market.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

People with higher educations tend to watch more PBS, so in markets like Boston and San Francisco, with many people with higher college degrees would be more likely to watch PBS.

There have been great programs on PBS that doesn't just focus on the highly educated.
Examples include the Ken Burns series about baseball.
What I don't understand is why highly-educated people put up with the "we are broke" marathons local PBS stations run when documents show that some of the top executives at these stations make more than the President of the United States.

 

[Markxxx]

Well it's not that people without higher education don't watch PBS, it's a matter of the more educated you are the more likely you are to watch PBS.

Interestingly enough I was reading in the book "Stay Tuned," a history of American broadcasting, anthology series in the 50s declined as TV prices fell. The correlation was striking, as TV prices fell, the blue collar and poorer worker could afford sets. This led to more sports, quiz shows and westerns, which tended to be favoured by such demographics.

I think PBS may also be hurt by the fact libraries stock their shows. I live in Chicago and I can get almost any PBS show on DVD, true they are the older ones, but they can be checked out and watched at my convenience, and I can easily copy them to my DVD collection.

I can't do that with Seinfeld as libraries don't carry them. True I realize I'm lucky Chicago is such a large city that I have that option, not all people do

 

[Robnoxious]

CORRECTION: KCET should be on the #2 spot instead of KQED. I must have mixed it up when I was speculating where KQED could be on the list.

Having lived in both No- and So-Cal I wouldn't drop KQED down the list so hastily. It's easy to assume DMA #1 and #2 would have the highest viewership in their respective markets but I'd propose that because KLCS and KOCE exist in the Los Angeles DMA it would somewhat erode KCET's numbers. KCET on the whole is pretty standard PBS fare. KQED has a much more diverse programming scheme. I found myself very impressed with the broad range of original content KQED produces. Things I wouldn't expect on a PBS station. KCET has Huell Howser, Life & Times and Tavis Smiley and very little else production wise.

 

[ansky212]

I can't do that with Seinfeld as libraries don't carry them. True I realize I'm lucky Chicago is such a large city that I have that option, not all people do

There are a lot of libraries in my area that carry DVDs of 'regular' TV shows. There is one town in NJ near where I used to live that looks like Blockbuster when you walk in. They have so many DVDs of everything imagineable. My local library in NJ carries all seasons of The Sopranos on DVD, amongst others.

 

[MikeSFNM]

If KLCS and KOCE (personally I think those two are ranked way too high) occupy that list then KCET Los Angeles should sit solidly at #4.

WGBH Boston should get monster viewership simply because they produce most of PBS' biggest programs

'


Confirm KOCE is #6: http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/08/phoenix_visits_californialand.php

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

People with higher educations tend to watch more PBS, so in markets like Boston and San Francisco, with many people with higher college degrees would be more likely to watch PBS.

There have been great programs on PBS that doesn't just focus on the highly educated.
Examples include the Ken Burns series about baseball.
What I don't understand is why highly-educated people put up with the "we are broke" marathons local PBS stations run when documents show that some of the top executives at these stations make more than the President of the United States.

What I don't understand is why YOU are still watching PBS if that's what you believe.

Sounds hypocritical if you ask me....

JMO...

Cheers

 

[Ultimajock]

There have been great programs on PBS that doesn't just focus on the highly educated.
Examples include the Ken Burns series about baseball.

...Ken Burns is a hack. Case in point: that junk on the history of jazz that he peddled to PBS. That was so loaded with errors it was downright disgusting...