Discovery Channel rode its annual “Shark Week” programming stunt to a first place primetime finish last week among all cable networks.
Discovery’s 2.3 million viewers was boosted by week-long, shark-themed specials which averaged 2.46 million viewers, slightly above the 2.4 million average viewer mark for Shark Week 2014, according to Ratings Intelligence. Shark Week also garnered minor year-to-year gains in primetime among adults 25-54. The network’s 11 p.m. Shark After Dark post-show series drew 1.5 million viewers, during the week, up from 1.4 million last year, said Ratings Intelligence.
Discovery easily topped Disney Channel and Fox News, which tied for second with 1.6 million viewers during the week of July 6 through July 12, according to Nielsen. USA Network, TNT and HGTV tied for fourth with 1.5 million viewers.
TBS and History (tied with 1.2 million viewers), FX (1 million viewers) and Food Network (973,000 viewers) rounded out the top 10 most watched networks for the week.
Disney Channel finished ahead of Discovery on a 24-hour basis, with Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Adult Swim following closely behind.
Discovery was the top choice among adults 18-49 for both prime time and on a 24-hour basis.
Most Watched Shows For The Week of July 6 – July 12
DateShowNetworkTotal Viewers
7/7 Rizzoli & Isles TNT 4.4 million
7/6 Major Crimes TNT 4.0 million
7/6 WWE Monday Night Raw (9-10 p.m.) USA 3.6 million
7/6 WWE Monday Night Raw (8-9 p.m.) USA 3.6 million
7/6 WWE Monday Night Raw (10-11:15 p.m.) USA 3.6 million
7/8 Super Predator Discovery 3.3 million
7/11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Race NBCSN 3.2 million
7/6 Return Of The Great White Discovery 3.1 million
7/9 Mountain Men History 3.0 million
7/8 Ninja Sharks Discovery 3.0 million
Source: Nielsen
