In one of the most closely watched ratings books in years, KHON retained the top spot for the 5 and 6 p.m. news slots.

Hawaii News Now, which combined the newsrooms of KGMB, KHNL and K5, was first place for the 10 p.m. news when you add the ratings of the stations' simulcasted news broadcasts.

Minus the simulcasted shows, KHON was tied for first place with KGMB at the 10 p.m. slot.

"It was a superb book since November is usually a challenging period," said Joe McNamara, KHON's president and general manager.

The Nielsen ratings for the November sweeps period is the first since the controversial newsroom merger between KGMB, KHNL and K5.

Under the shared services agreement that went into effect in October, the stations combined production facilities, simulcast news broadcasts and laid off about a third of their staff.

"All things considered, we remain in a very competitive position," said Rick Blangiardi, general manager of Hawaii News Now.

"This is a very solid beginning for our new enterprise."

Despite the merger, KHON, the local Fox affiliate, retained its lead in the evening broadcast, led by popular anchor Joe Moore.

KGMB9's Keahi Tucker and KHNL's Stephanie Lum anchor a joint 10 p.m. Hawaii News Now newscast, while Lum also co-anchors a joint 5 p.m newscast with KGMB9's Tannya Joaquin.

Hawaii News Now said more people watched its 10 p.m. show simulcast on KGMB and KHNL than any other station.

The late-night newscast for the local CBS and NBC affiliates had a combined 12 rating, compared with a 9 for KHON.

Candace Hirleman, marketing director for Hawaii News Now, said that Nielsen's rules allow the stations to combine ratings when it comes to simulcasts.

McNamara said he believes ratings for KGMB and KHNL should be kept separate.

Adverting rates, which are based on ratings, are different at the two stations during the simulcast 10 p.m. newscast, he said.