TNT Continues Hot Summer Ratings Streak
TNT continued its hot summer ratings streak last week, drawing more viewers in primetime than any other cable network for the fifth consecutive week.
The drama.boom channel drew 1.666 million viewers for the week of July 14 to July 20, barely beating out Fox News Channel, which averaged 1.663 million viewers during the news-heavy period in which the world was focused on the crash of the Malaysian aircraft and confrontations in the Middle East, according to Nielsen. Disney Channel finished third with 1.93 million viewers, followed by USA Network at 1.92 million watchers.
ESPN captured fifth place with 1.63 million viewers, followed by History (1.62 million); TBS (1.55 million); HGTV (1.37 million); A&E (1.3 million); and FX (1.2 million).
Disney was the top choice among viewers on a 24-hour basis, drawing 1.57 million viewers during the week, according to Nielsen. Nickelodeon finished second with 1.50 million viewers, followed by Adult Swim (1.21 million), Fox News (1.12 million) and Cartoon Network (1.1 million.)
Turner networks also dominated among key demos, with TBS taking top honors among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, while Adult Swim was tops among adults 18-34, according to Nielsen.
Most Watched Cable Shows During The Week Of July 14 to July 20
DateShowNetworkViewers
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7/14 Home Run Derby ESPN 5.4 million
7/14 Major Crimes TNT 5.2 million
7/15 Rizzoli & Isles TNT 4.8 million
7/14 WWE Raw (10 to 11:07 p.m.) USA 4.2 million
7/14 WWE Raw (9 to 10 p.m.) USA 4.2 million
7/20 The Last Ship TNT 4.0 million
7/14 Home Run Derby Rain Delay ESPN 4.0 million
7/14 WWE Raw (8 to 9 p.m.) USA 4.0 million
7/14 Love & Hip Hop Atlanta 3 VH1 3.8 million
7/16 Duck Dynasty A&E 3.7 million
Source: Nielsen
R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.