Food Network, History Are ‘Must Haves’ Amid Pandemic

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Beta Research study finds ESPN remained most valued network

Cable subscribers are hungry for the Food Network (Image credit: Food Network)

In a study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Food Network and History were the cable channels most often called “must haves" by cable subscribers, according to Beta Research.

ESPN, Discovery, Channel, CNN and National Geographic were also described as networks that must be included in a channel lineup.

ESPN was the favorite network among men by a large margin in the study. Men also said that History, CNN, Food Network, Fox News, National Geographic and AMC were their favorite.

Food Network was the favorite most cited by women. Adult females also favorited Hallmark Channel, HGTV, TLC, Lifetime ID and History.

Despite losing its live sports coverage for months, viewers said ESPN was worth $1.95 a month, most of the networks listed in the survey. Viewers said Disney Channel was worth $1.85, Nickelodeon was worth $1.83, Cartoon Network was worth $1.79, ID was worth $1.78 and Fox Sports 1 was worth $1.68.

The Beta Research Cable Subscriber study was conducted in June with a sample of 1,200 adult cable subscribers. The study measured 42 basic cable networks.

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.