PBS SoCal ratings soar in first month as the network's flagship station in Los Angeles area

PBS SoCal has experienced higher ratings since it started carrying "American Experience" -- and "Frontline," "Masterpiece" and "Charlie Rose" too.

Formerly KOCE-TV Channel 50, the Orange County-based public broadcasting outlet has seen its ratings soar 150% since it took on the full PBS schedule on Jan. 1, according to the Nielsen Co.

A year ago, KOCE was delivering a 0.2 household rating for its programming day. Now, with PBS signatures such as "American Experience" and "Charlie Rose" added to the lineup, that rating has jumped to a 0.5 for the month of January. 

That, incidentally, is the same number KCET-TV Channel 28 was doing with the PBS schedule during the same period last year. KCET left PBS after months of dues and other disputes and is now the nation's largest independent public broadcasting station. However, the station has seen ratings plummet since it dropped the familiar network lineup.

PBS SoCal is earning its highest numbers with "Masterpiece" (1.2 rating), "Antiques Roadshow" (1.0) and "Nova" (0.9).

However, the changeover has not been without disruptions for viewers, and those are reflected in the ratings. PBS SoCal's morning programs for kids are still underrated compared with how KCET was faring with those shows. That suggests parents may be confused about where to find shows such as "Dinosaur Train" and "Sesame Street."

And though KLCS-TV and KVCR-TV, the secondary PBS stations in the Southern California area, initially benefited after KCET left the network, their ratings have now fallen back to their levels from last year. That indicates PBS SoCal may need to redouble its marketing efforts with its partner stations.

RELATED:

KCET prime-time ratings slip 38% in first three weeks without PBS

-- Scott Collins (Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT)

Photo: Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern appear in the "Masterpiece" presentation of "Downton Abbey." Credit: PBS

 

 

Comments

[TeeVee]

PBS SoCal is not "formerly KOCE Channel 50." Its call letters are still KOCE. And it still broadcasts over Channel 50. It simply got a new brand name. But it's still KOCE, and you can still call it that if you want to stick with its official name.

[Wendy]

It's a shame that KCET and PBS couldn't come to an agreement. I really miss KCET's morning kids lineup. It was the only channel worth watching with my son on Saturday mornings. Now KCET's programming just bores us both to death.

[Orangeyaglad]

At a moment's notice they stepped up to meet the public's needs. In one short month we felt more valued as viewers than ever before.

[BigE]

KCET's new programming switch was the biggest mistake ever. The quality of the "new" KCET stinks! The loss of L.A.'s premiere public broadcasting Channel shows how short sighted it's management is. For people unwilling to be extorted by cable and satellite operators KCET was the sanctuary of civility and culture. Now we are being fed low quality fare with sub-par production value. What we didn't need was more asian/spanish language programming in a city where more than enough channels already exist. I've just discovered KOCE and I hope other will soon. That's where my donation will go.

[lynn]

"the station has seen ratings plummet since it dropped the familiar network lineup."

Gee, imagine my non-surprise.

If KCET thought it was going to maintain its viewership with SoCalConnected and reruns of 25 year old movies on Sunday nights, I'd like some of whatever they were smoking when they reached that conclusion.

[Marilyn Boyd]

I am very disappointed that Doc Martin, As Time Goes By, and, Keeping up Appearances has been removed from your usual Saturday evening programming. You need to return it so that we who prefer the humor and goodness of these programs can again enjoy them and depend on them to be there!