TNT Wins Second Quarter Primetime Rating Race

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

TNT was the most watched cable network in primetime during the second quarter of 2014, ending USA Network’s run of 31 consecutive quarter wins among ad-supported, cable entertainment networks.

The drama.boom network averaged 2.4 million viewers during the period of March 31 to June 29 on the strength of its NBA playoff coverage as well as strong performances from scripted series like Major Crimes and new series The Last Ship (pictured), according to Nielsen. USA finished second with 2.0 million viewers, followed by History’s 2.0 million viewers, Disney Channel’s 1.8 million viewers and ESPN’s 1.7 million viewers.

TBS (1.7 million viewers); Fox News (1.6 million); HGTV (1.3 million); A&E (1.2 million) and Discovery Channel (1.2 million) rounded out the top 10 most watched networks for the quarter.

Nickelodeon was tops on a 24-hour basis, averaging 1.5 million viewers, besting Disney Channel’s 1.3 million watchers and Adult Swim’s 1.2 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

TNT was also the choice among major audience demos include adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and adults 18-34, according to Nielsen.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

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.