Channel 2 Is Election Night Winner

Channel 2 was the big local news winner on the night that Barack Obama was elected president, Chris Lee was elected to Congress and Frank A. Sedita III was elected Erie County district attorney.

The NBC affiliate had the highest local news ratings at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m Tuesday. The 11 p.m. news was helped by the lead-in from NBC News, which finished first here on election night.

There also was some good news for Channel 7, the local ABC affiliate. The only station to stick with its network at 11 p.m. to hear the historic announcement that Sen. Obama had become the first African-American president, Channel 7 was second in all news time periods.

Channel 4 News, which had been off cable for 26 days last month, was third in all time periods. It was hurt at 11 p.m. by the third place lead-in from CBS' coverage, which was anchored by Katie Couric. However, it couldn't blame CBS for the finishes at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

By the end of the November sweeps, it should be clear if change is coming to the leadership of local TV news.

-- Alan Pergament