Beta Research Corp. released the results of its “2005 Beta Research Cable Subscriber Evaluation Study.”
Among the findings reported by the research firm:
• Discovery Channel was the top-ranked basic-cable network as far as percent of respondents mentioning the service unaided in their top five, with 27% citing the network. Discovery was followed by: ESPN (24%); The History Channel (20%); Home & Garden Television (19%); Cable News Network and Fox News Channel (18%); Food Network and Lifetime Television (17%); Turner Network Television (15%); and TLC (13%). Hallmark Channel topped midsized networks with 8%, and National Geographic Channel was mentioned by 7%.
• For men, the top-ranked major networks were ESPN, Discovery, History and Fox News, while Speed Channel and OLN were the top-ranked midsized networks.
• For women, the top-ranked major networks were Lifetime, HGTV, Food and Discovery, while Hallmark and WE: Women’s Entertainment were the top-ranked midsized networks.
• Among adults 18-34, the top-ranked major networks were ESPN, Discovery, MTV: Music Television and Comedy Central, while ESPN Classic and OLN were the top-ranked midsized networks.
• As far as percentage of viewers who were “very satisfied” with networks, Beta’s list was: The Weather Channel (68%); ESPN (65%); Discovery and HGTV (64%); ESPN2 (63%); History (62%); Food (61%); CNN and Fox News (59%); and Animal Planet (58%). The top three midsized networks were NGC (62%), Speed (56%) and Discovery Health Channel (55%).
Beta said it conducted 703 interviews from Aug. 1-Sept. 24.
