Any story discussing TV or radio ratings drives those involved crazy. They live and die by the numbers and are truly obsessed. So it's no suprise that our reports about the local ratings in light of Nelson Martinez signing up with KOB-TV drew quite a reaction. From deep inside 7, sources took issue with those saying that the news race is close at 5 and 6 p.m. Here's how our 7 source put it: "Over the past year our 5 p.m. show has a strong lead over Channel 4, the widest in years. The 6 p.m. show also has a sizable lead over Ch 4, the biggest gap in about 3 to 5 years."

Our source with access to the ratings book does admit that the early news race was indeed very close up until this past year. The most important point stands though: the 10 p.m. news is the one that matters most and that is a three way nip-and tuck race for first place. But our 7 source points out that KOAT's years of dominance began to erode while Martinez was anchor. We reported here that TV insiders consider him a big draw in hispanic households and that by putting him on at noon and 5 p.m. KOB may make a dent in that audience.

It's interesting to note how TV folks use the term "show" when discussing the news. They used to call them broadcasts. It's an important distinction but the ratings obsession has made TV news subservient to the entertainment factor. That's why you get news being called a "show" as if its main goal was to entertain, not inform. Perhaps it's just an honest declaration of what it has become and we shouldn't nitpick because we probably encourage it by writing about it. In any event, there are many fine journalists at 4, 7, and 13 who often rise above the entertainment-driven pressure. I watch them all to get a flavor for our community and I urge you to do the same.