Fox News Repeats As Weekly Cable Ratings Winner

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Fox News Channel was the most watched cable network in primetime for the second week in a row, according to Nielsen.

Fox’s 1.85 million average viewers for the week of March 9 to March 15 bested Disney Channel and AMC’s 1.78 million viewer tally, which was good for a second place tie. ESPN finished in fourth with 1.73 million viewers, followed by TBS’ 1.62 million watchers and USA’s 1.58 million viewers.

 HGTV and History (tied with 1.41 million viewers) Discovery (1.25 million) and TNT (1.91 million) all finished in the top 10 for the week.

Disney was the most watched network on a 24-hour basis with 1.23 million viewers, ending second place Nickelodeon’s three-week, total-day ratings winning streak. Adult Swim, Fox News and USA Network rounded out the top five.

AMC’s zombie-themed The Walking Dead continued to top all shows during the week, followed by its post-show series the Talking Dead. The Walking Dead has been the most watched weekly show since the return of the second half of the show’s fifth season on Feb. 8.

Most Watched Cable Shows For The Week of March 9 to March 15

DateShowNetworkTotal Viewers

3/15       The Walking Dead                                          AMC                                    13.7 million

3/15       Talking Dead                                                    AMC                                    5.9 million

3/9         WWE Entertainment (10pm -11:17 pm)           USA                                      3.9 million

3/9         WWE Entertainment (9 pm-10 pm)                  USA                                      3.9 million

3/9         WWE Entertainment (8 p.m-9 pm)                   USA                                      3.6 million

3/14       ACC Tournament (live)                                    ESPN                                    3.5 million

3/15       SEC Tournament                                             ESPN                                    3.3 million

3/9         The O’Reilly Factor                                         Fox News                              3.3 million

3/13       Gold Rush: Special                                         Discovery                              3.2 million

3/15       Real Housewives of Atlanta                            Bravo                                    3.1 million

Source: 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.