Channel 5's early newscast leads in viewership

By Johnny Diaz, Globe Staff

Since its debut Tuesday, WCVB-TV (Channel 5)'s 4:30 a.m. newscast has been leading in total viewers of Boston early birds.

The station has averaged 24,000 viewers in the time slot this week, followed by WBZ-TV (Channel 4) with 7,200 and NECN with 5,300, according to figures from The Nielsen Co.

WCVB became the third station in the market to offer a 4:30 a.m. newscast, a trend that has been catching on around the country as TV managers look the early commuters and workers.

Beginning Sept. 20, WFXT-TV (Channel 25) will join the race with its own 4:30 a.m. newscast.

WHDH-TV (Channel 7) remains the lone station without a 4:30 a.m. newscast.