For most of its history, WCSH was a solid, if distant, runner-up in local Nielsen ratings behind long-dominant WGAN-TV/WGME-TV. However, in the late 1980s, WCSH-TV surged to the top of the ratings, a position it has retained for the most part ever since. This is in part due to continuity in the station's key on-air staff, much of which have been with the station for over ten years. Also, WCSH anchors have won many awards for excellent journalism. In addition, its resources include sister station WLBZ in Bangor, allowing statewide coverage not offered by any source in Maine.