TBS, led by its Major League Baseball post-season coverage, hit a ratings home run last week, according to Nielsen.
The network was the most watched cable service in primetime during the week of Oct. 12 through Oct. 18, averaging 4.6 million viewers – much of that coming on the strength of its MLB playoffs coverage. TBS is currently on a record ratings pace for for its post-season baseball coverage, averaging 5.9 million viewers.
ESPN was second with 3.2 million viewers, followed by CNN, which averaged 2.2 million watchers for the week -- due in large part to its Oct. 13 coverage of the Democratic Presidential debate, which drew more than 15 million viewers.
Disney Channel finished fourth with 1.6 million viewers, followed by a fifth place tie between Fox News and USA Network, each averaging 1.5 million viewers.
AMC and Discovery Channel (tied with 1.3 million viewers); HGTV (1.2 million) and History and FX (tied with 1.1 million) rounded out the top 10 most watched networks for the week.
TBS was also the top cable network on a 24-hour basis, as well as among key demos including advertiser-coveted adults 18-49, said Nielsen.
Most Watched Shows For Week Of Oct. 12 to Oct. 18
DateTelecastNetworkTotal Viewers
10/13 Nevada Democratic Presidential Debate CNN 15.7 million
10/13 Democratic Presidential Debate Pre-Show CNN 12.6 million
10/13 Democratic Presidential Debate Post-Show CNN 12.6 million
10/18 The Walking Dead AMC 12.1 million
10/12 MNF – Pittsburgh-San Diego ESPN 12.1 million
10/17 MLB NLCS – Chicago Cubs-N.Y. Mets (Gm. 1) TBS 7.8 million
10/17 College Football –Michigan St.-Michigan ESPN 7.3 million
10/15 MLB NLDS – L.A. Dodgers – New York Mets TBS 7.3 million
10/17 College Football – Florida-LSU TBS 6.7 million
10/18 MLB NLCS – Chicago Cubs-N.Y. Mets (Gm. 2) TBS 6.5 million
Source: Nielsen
