I know that tooting your own horn can be seen as not very polite, but in this case, I think it’s warranted. The local TV news ratings sweeps period (as it’s known) came to an end this week, and my colleagues here at ABC-7 have a lot to be proud of and thankful for. 

It feels great to say that WJLA has demonstrated the winning touch at 11pm, perhaps the most important time block of the day! The ratings are broken down in many different ways (purposely, to allow just about everybody to find a silver lining, I believe), but the results this May are unequivocal. ABC-7 was number one in the ratings, the total number of households watching every evening, and tops for the most desirable audience groups. A clear win that you made happen, no matter how you look at it. Viewers probably have no idea how hard we work for things like this. I liken it to volunteering the most hours, doing the most homework, selling the most cookies and painting the most houses just to be voted “Most Likeable” or “Most Likely to Succeed” in High School. It may sound silly to some, but it means a lot to the ones in the competition. The Anchors’ faces may be the ones you see the most, but our reporters, writers, producers, photographers, editors and others have been going the extra mile and taking on extra assignments all month long with the hopes that you – the viewers out there – will recognize the quality of effort and stick with us. Well, you did, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support! 

I’ve been surprised to learn there are some in this town who aren’t accustomed to seeing ABC-7 in this position. With this being a political town I’m sure you’ll figure out who they are once the “spinning” starts in the press. I promise you, though - we appreciate all of you who have made us number one, and we’re on a mission to make the rest believers, too! 

Keep the feedback coming, folks. We want to hear from you about what we get right and wrong. At the end of the day, we believe our viewers deserve the best, and we can’t do it without you. I mean that. Thanks for watching and keeping us honest!