WCVB-TV (Ch. 5) wins July ratings race

By Johnny Diaz, Globe staff

WCVB-TV (Channel 5) captured the most viewers during the July sweeps period, winning every newscast it competes in.

The numbers, which are used to help set advertising rates, were released today by The Nielsen Co. The ratings period began July 1st and ended yesterday.

“We’re in one of the most competitive markets in America and to sweep all the newscasts for the sixth month in a row is a true testament of the hard work from everyone at WCVB,'' said Bill Fine, general manager and president of WCVB.

The July sweeps is not considered to be a crucial TV ratings period - as opposed to February, May, and November - because networks fill their primetime schedule with reruns during the summer. Also, viewing patterns are markedly different during the season when people tend to take vacations.

But WCVB had some help from special ABC programming - the 2010 World Cup games and new primetime series including the reality docu-drama, "Boston Med." The show, which premiered June 24, has averaged 281,000 viewers and ranks second or third overall each week among Boston's most watched shows.

The eight-part series, produced by the ABC News Division, follows more than a dozen doctors, nurses and patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Children's Hospital over a four-month period.

The July sweeps marks the second ratings period with two local 4:30 a.m. newscasts. NECN and WBZ-TV (Channel 4) launched the newscasts in May to draw in early morning commuters. This month, WBZ drew 8,600 total viewers, down from 9,900 in May. NECN had 2,900 viewers in July compared with 3,600 viewers last May.

Rankings of total viewers remained the same from the May sweeps with WCVB leading at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., noon, 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m.

WFXT-TV (Channel 25) also won at 10 p.m. with 114,800 viewers. The station competes with WLVI-TV (Channel 56), which is owned by WHDH.

At 11 p.m., WCVB had 146,100 total viewers, followed by WHDH with 112,900, WBZ with 97,700 and WFXT with 66,800.