KCRA 3 dominates February 2026 sweeps in Sacramento

KCRA 3 was once again the dominant choice for local news in Sacramento during the February 2026 sweeps period, according to Nielsen ratings. Morning, noon and night, more viewers turned to KCRA 3 News than any other station in the Sacramento market.“This is a region that truly inspires you to do your very best every day for the people who rely on you,” said KCRA 3 and KQCA My58 President and General Manager Ariel Roblin. “Our team was everywhere during February sweeps, bringing viewers live reports from Milan-Cortina during the Olympics, covering the Super Bowl from San Francisco, hosting nightly Olympic Zone shows from South Lake Tahoe, and staying right here at home to make sure breaking news, weather, and investigative reporting never skipped a beat. That commitment reflects the dedication of our journalists and the community we are proud to serve.””Our team strives to take our audience to wherever the big story unfolds and the month of February provided an amazing opportunity to capture exciting moments from Italy all the way back here to Northern California,” said Derek Schnell, Hearst Television Regional Director of News and KCRA 3 News Director. “When a major winter storm blew into the state, our meteorologists provided early alerts so our viewers knew what to expect. We’ll always be there across all platforms to help our community plan ahead for what’s next.”MorningsKCRA 3 Morning News continued to dominate the early morning hours during the February sweeps period. KCRA 3 News at 6 am attracted more than 54% of all local morning news households in the hour, nearly three times the audience share of the nearest competitor, making it the number one local morning newscast in Sacramento. Earlier broadcasts beginning at 4:30 am and 5:00 am also led the market, reinforcing KCRA 3’s position as the station viewers rely on to start their day informed.MiddaysKCRA 3 News at Noon remained the leading midday newscast in the Sacramento market. The broadcast delivered nearly 45% of all households watching midday local news, continuing its strong performance and significantly outpacing competing stations.Early EveningKCRA 3 continued to lead the market throughout the early evening news block. KCRA 3 News at 4 pm attracted more than 58% of all households watching news in the hour, nearly tripling the share of the closest competitor.KCRA 3 News at 5 pm was the clear leader in early evening local news, capturing nearly half of all households watching news in the time period. The half-hour newscast alone outperformed competing stations’ full-hour blocks that include both national and local news, underscoring KCRA 3’s continued dominance as viewers turn to the station for comprehensive coverage of the day’s biggest stories.KCRA 3 News at 6 pm remained the most-watched local newscast in the time period, delivering nearly half of all households watching news at 6:00 pm and maintaining a commanding lead over competing stations.KCRA 3 News at 7 pm continued to dominate the hour, attracting more than 85% of all households watching news in the time period and delivering several times the audience of the nearest competitor. Since its launch, the 7:00 pm broadcast has become the clear leader in the hour, providing viewers with additional in-depth coverage of the day’s major stories, breaking news and extended reporting from across Northern California.Late NightKCRA 3 News at 11 pm remained a leading choice for late-night news viewers in Sacramento. The broadcast attracted nearly 35% of all households watching late local news, continuing its strong performance and maintaining its position as one of the most-watched late evening newscasts in the market.OlympicsKCRA 3 also delivered strong performance during NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics, drawing significant viewer engagement across Northern California. During the Games, KCRA reached more than 1.1 million total viewers, generating over 754 million total minutes viewed. The Opening Ceremonies performed especially well locally, with Sacramento ranking #13 among all U.S. Metered Markets for the live broadcast, pacing 21% ahead of the national average and standing as the top-performing market on the West Coast. Olympic primetime coverage on KCRA reached more than 476,000 households, generating over 210 million total minutes viewed, while Olympic daytime coverage also outperformed the national average, pacing 5% ahead nationally and ranking #22 among U.S. Metered Markets. In addition, KCRA’s locally produced Olympic Zone at 7:30 p.m. delivered strong audience growth, averaging more than 43,000 households, an 18% increase compared to the 2022 broadcast.Digital PlatformsKCRA continues to lead the Sacramento market across digital platforms. The station remains the number one local news website in Sacramento according to Comscore and continues to expand its reach across social and streaming platforms. Hundreds of thousands of viewers engage with KCRA 3 across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, while the station’s website, app and streaming content provide viewers with access to local news whenever and wherever they need it.ABOUT KCRA 3KCRA 3, a Hearst Television station, went on the air September 3, 1955. It was the first television station in the Sacramento Valley capable of color transmission, use of videotape and the first to broadcast in HD. The station’s involvement and dedication to responsible reporting is embodied in their slogan, “Where the News Comes First®.” KCRA 3 is the recipient of multiple Emmy and Edward R Murrow awards. KCRA 3’s website address is www.kcra.com.About Hearst TelevisionHearst Television owns and operates 33 television and two radio stations serving 26 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over more than 120 video channels including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, Estrella and more. The radio stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music listenership. Its Hearst Media Production Group unit produces original programming across linear and streaming platforms for domestic and international distribution. Its Very Local app, free to download on household OTT devices and available across popular streaming services, offers 24/7 access to local news, weather and an array of local and regional programming. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry’s premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst.

KCRA 3 was once again the dominant choice for local news in Sacramento during the February 2026 sweeps period, according to Nielsen ratings. Morning, noon and night, more viewers turned to KCRA 3 News than any other station in the Sacramento market.

“This is a region that truly inspires you to do your very best every day for the people who rely on you,” said KCRA 3 and KQCA My58 President and General Manager Ariel Roblin. “Our team was everywhere during February sweeps, bringing viewers live reports from Milan-Cortina during the Olympics, covering the Super Bowl from San Francisco, hosting nightly Olympic Zone shows from South Lake Tahoe, and staying right here at home to make sure breaking news, weather, and investigative reporting never skipped a beat. That commitment reflects the dedication of our journalists and the community we are proud to serve.”

“Our team strives to take our audience to wherever the big story unfolds and the month of February provided an amazing opportunity to capture exciting moments from Italy all the way back here to Northern California,” said Derek Schnell, Hearst Television Regional Director of News and KCRA 3 News Director. “When a major winter storm blew into the state, our meteorologists provided early alerts so our viewers knew what to expect. We’ll always be there across all platforms to help our community plan ahead for what’s next.”

Mornings

KCRA 3 Morning News continued to dominate the early morning hours during the February sweeps period. KCRA 3 News at 6 am attracted more than 54% of all local morning news households in the hour, nearly three times the audience share of the nearest competitor, making it the number one local morning newscast in Sacramento. Earlier broadcasts beginning at 4:30 am and 5:00 am also led the market, reinforcing KCRA 3’s position as the station viewers rely on to start their day informed.

Middays

KCRA 3 News at Noon remained the leading midday newscast in the Sacramento market. The broadcast delivered nearly 45% of all households watching midday local news, continuing its strong performance and significantly outpacing competing stations.

Early Evening

KCRA 3 continued to lead the market throughout the early evening news block. KCRA 3 News at 4 pm attracted more than 58% of all households watching news in the hour, nearly tripling the share of the closest competitor.

KCRA 3 News at 5 pm was the clear leader in early evening local news, capturing nearly half of all households watching news in the time period. The half-hour newscast alone outperformed competing stations’ full-hour blocks that include both national and local news, underscoring KCRA 3’s continued dominance as viewers turn to the station for comprehensive coverage of the day’s biggest stories.

KCRA 3 News at 6 pm remained the most-watched local newscast in the time period, delivering nearly half of all households watching news at 6:00 pm and maintaining a commanding lead over competing stations.

KCRA 3 News at 7 pm continued to dominate the hour, attracting more than 85% of all households watching news in the time period and delivering several times the audience of the nearest competitor. Since its launch, the 7:00 pm broadcast has become the clear leader in the hour, providing viewers with additional in-depth coverage of the day’s major stories, breaking news and extended reporting from across Northern California.

Late Night

KCRA 3 News at 11 pm remained a leading choice for late-night news viewers in Sacramento. The broadcast attracted nearly 35% of all households watching late local news, continuing its strong performance and maintaining its position as one of the most-watched late evening newscasts in the market.

Olympics

KCRA 3 also delivered strong performance during NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics, drawing significant viewer engagement across Northern California. During the Games, KCRA reached more than 1.1 million total viewers, generating over 754 million total minutes viewed. The Opening Ceremonies performed especially well locally, with Sacramento ranking #13 among all U.S. Metered Markets for the live broadcast, pacing 21% ahead of the national average and standing as the top-performing market on the West Coast. Olympic primetime coverage on KCRA reached more than 476,000 households, generating over 210 million total minutes viewed, while Olympic daytime coverage also outperformed the national average, pacing 5% ahead nationally and ranking #22 among U.S. Metered Markets. In addition, KCRA’s locally produced Olympic Zone at 7:30 p.m. delivered strong audience growth, averaging more than 43,000 households, an 18% increase compared to the 2022 broadcast.

Digital Platforms

KCRA continues to lead the Sacramento market across digital platforms. The station remains the number one local news website in Sacramento according to Comscore and continues to expand its reach across social and streaming platforms. Hundreds of thousands of viewers engage with KCRA 3 across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, while the station’s website, app and streaming content provide viewers with access to local news whenever and wherever they need it.

ABOUT KCRA 3

KCRA 3, a Hearst Television station, went on the air September 3, 1955. It was the first television station in the Sacramento Valley capable of color transmission, use of videotape and the first to broadcast in HD. The station’s involvement and dedication to responsible reporting is embodied in their slogan, “Where the News Comes First®.” KCRA 3 is the recipient of multiple Emmy and Edward R Murrow awards. KCRA 3’s website address is www.kcra.com.

About Hearst Television

Hearst Television owns and operates 33 television and two radio stations serving 26 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over more than 120 video channels including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, Estrella and more. The radio stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music listenership. Its Hearst Media Production Group unit produces original programming across linear and streaming platforms for domestic and international distribution. Its Very Local app, free to download on household OTT devices and available across popular streaming services, offers 24/7 access to local news, weather and an array of local and regional programming. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry’s premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst.