TNT Shows Draw Big Audiences, But USA Still Tops Weekly Ratings Chart

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TNT generated the four most-watched cable shows last week, but it still wasn’t enough to top USA Network for overall primetime weekly ratings honors.

USA averaged 2.7 million viewers to top all cable networks during the period of July 1 to July 7, according to Nielsen. TNT finished second with 2.5 million viewers, even though episodes of its original series Rizzoli & Isles and Major Crimes, as well as it’s July 6 Coke Zero 400 Sprint Cup live event and post-race coverage each drew more viewers than any other cable show during the week.

Disney Channel finished third with 2 million viewers, followed by History and A&E’s 1.6 million viewers. TBS (1.5 million viewers); Fox News and FX (tied with 1.3 million viewers) and BET and HGTV (1.2 million viewers) rounded out the top 10.

Disney was tops among cable networks on a total day basis, averaging 1.8 million viewers to Nickelodeon’s 1.7 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

          Most Watched Shows For The Week of July 1 to July 7

Date                     Show                                                           Network                 Total Viewers

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.