Spinning the Numbers in Charlotte

Yesterday, FTVLive posted a story about how WBTV in Charlotte was claiming ratings victory for the Feb. book.

“This outcome is the result of a focused strategy executed by a passionate group of professionals, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes,” said WBTV General Manager Scott Dempsey. “We will enjoy the outcome for 24 hours and move on to tomorrow. Our competition for audience is strong in the Charlotte DMA and being an LPM market makes for a year-round ratings period.”

The folks at WSOC say that WBTV should celebrate only for 24 hours, because according to them, the station only won a single time slot.

WSOC is also claiming victory in their own press release.

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The bottom line, stations will spin the numbers anyway they can to try and make them look like they won the ratings.

Just like Donald Trump, if you say it enough times and louder than anyone else, maybe, just maybe the viewers will buy the shit you’re trying to sell.