Channel 12 comes out on top in May ratings 'sweeps'; Channel 6 No. 1 at 10 p.m.

WISN-TV (Channel 12) had the top-rated newscasts at both 5 and 6 p.m. during the May "sweeps" rating period, according to Nielsen data provided by Milwaukee TV stations. 

Although the television season has become increasingly spread out vs. the old September-to-May calendar, "sweeps" periods like May are important to TV stations and networks, which use ratings during those periods to set advertising rates.

The May "sweeps," which this year began on April 26, ended Wednesday night. 

WISN had a 6.5 household rating for its 5 p.m. newscast, making it Milwaukee's most-watched newscast during May. (A rating point represents 8,685 households.) The ABC affiliate's 6 p.m. newscast was the month's second-most watched overall, with a 6.1 rating.

The station also led among newscasts at 5 and 6 p.m. in May 2017. At 6 p.m., per usual, "Jeopardy!" on WDJT-TV (Channel 58) beat the three local newscasts, with a 6.8 rating. 

Meanwhile, WITI-TV (Channel 6) had the most-watched newscasts at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., the former with a 5.6 rating and the latter at 5.5. The Fox affiliate also had the highest-rated newscasts for much of the morning, with top ratings in the 5, 6, 7 and 8 a.m. hours weekdays. 

WISN had the largest overall audience, with a 2.7 average weekly rating Monday through Sunday, 3 a.m. to 3 a.m. WITI-TV was No. 2 with a 2.5, followed by WDJT-TV (Channel 58) with 2.3 and WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) with 1.8. 

At 10 p.m., WISN's newscast was No. 2 behind WITI with a 5.3 rating, followed by WDJT with 4.6 and WTMJ with 4.3. 

In May 2017, WTMJ was No. 1 at 10 p.m. with a 6.2 rating, with WITI and WISN with 5.2 and WDJT with 3.0.