TNT Continues Weekly Cable Ratings Roll

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TNT continued its cable primetime ratings fast break, winning for the third straight week on the strength of its National Basketball Association playoffs coverage.

TNT averaged 3.1 million subscribers during the week of May 1 to May 7, beating out Fox News’ 2.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen. ESPN was third with 1.8 million viewers, followed by MSNBC with 1.4 million watchers.

HGTV and USA Network finished in a tie for fifth with 1.3 million viewers, followed by TBS (1.2 million), FX (1.1 million) and NBCSN and Discovery Channel (tied with 1 million viewers.)

Fox News continued its weekly ratings domination on a total day basis. The news network averaged 1.3 million viewers to beat out all cable networks for the 18th consecutive week, according to Nielsen.

TNT was the favorite choice among adult viewers 18-49 in both primetime and on a 24-hour basis, said Nielsen.

Most Watched Cable Shows For The Week Of May 1 to May 7

DateShowNetworkTotal Viewers

5/7     NBA Playoffs – San Antonio/Houston         TNT                 4.9 million

5/5     NBA Playoffs – San Antonio/Houston         ESPN               4.9 million

5/2     NBA Playoffs – Utah/Golden State              TNT                 4.9 million

5/2     NBA Playoffs – Washington/Boston            TNT                 4.8 million

5/3     NBA Playoffs – Houston/San Antonio         TNT                 4.7 million

5/4     NBA Playoffs – Utah/Golden State              ESPN               4.7 million

5/7     NBA Playoffs – Boston/Washington            TNT                 4.5 million

5/1     NBA Playoffs – Houston/San Antonio         TNT                 4.4 million

5/4     NBA Playoffs – Boston/Washington            ESPN               4.0 million

5/5     NBA Playoffs – Cleveland/Toronto             ESPN               3.6 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.