Understanding Media Performance Through Statistics:TV News Ratings in Romania

This study analyzes the performance of the main news programs of the five largest television channels in Romania: TVR1, PRO TV, Antena 1, Kanal D, and Prima TV. By examining monthly average ratings over a five-year period (2018–2022), the study identifies key trends and performance disparities between these channels. The results highlight significant differences in the performance of TVR1's Telejurnal compared to its commercial competitors. While Telejurnal demonstrates stability with a loyal but relatively small audience, commercial channels like PRO TV, Antena 1, and Kanal D exhibit higher variability and significantly higher mean ratings, reflecting their ability to attract diverse and dynamic audiences. Seasonal patterns in Telejurnal’s ratings reveal higher viewership in winter months, with declines in summer, but the overall trend remains stationary. These findings suggest that TVR1 operates in a distinct niche but faces significant challenges in competing with commercial channels.