The Kris Allen effect.(Outtakes)

For the May Nielsen Media Research numbers, there is one question: How much did Kris Allen's performance on "American Idol" pump up KLRT-TV, Channel 16's, late news ratings?

The Fox affiliate averaged a 7.9 household rating in the market--about 45,000 households--watching its 9 p.m. newscast. And the station's numbers in the most important demos--adults and women aged 25-54--fell just short of the top spot, though the three other Little Rock stations start their newscasts an hour later.

While KLRT lags behind the overall market ratings posted by No. 1 KTHVTV, Channel 11, (an 11 rating or about 62,000 households) and No. 2 KATVTV, Channel 7, (an 8.9 rating or about 50,500 households), the Fox affiliate nearly equaled KTHV's demos.

Other than KLRT showing growth, little movement occurred in late news. KTHV slightly separated itself from KATV in the overall market numbers. And KARK-TV, Channel 4, slipped into last place in overall numbers for the market and each of the demos.

Little Rock's CBS affiliate's solid late news showing stems from preparation that began before the May ratings period, President and General Manager Larry Audas said.

"I like to think that the news we do every day has developed good viewership and takes us where we went in May," he said.

The lift from Allen was real, KLRT General Manager Chuck Spohn said. The station's 9 p.m. newscast scored a 25 household rating--about 142,000 households--the night of the finale of "Idol."

"The key is going to be to retain those viewers," Spohn said. "That is the byproduct of this 'Idol' experience: that we have opened our product to different viewers."

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