USA Tops In Weekly Cable Ratings Race

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USA Network last week returned to the top spot on cable’s weekly primetime ratings chart, according to Nielsen.

USA averaged 2.5 million viewers in primetime during the week of July 29 to Aug. 4, besting last week's champ Disney Channel, which drew 2.3 million viewers. TNT finished third with 2.1 million viewers, followed by History’s 2 million watchers.

Discovery Channel tied with TBS for fifth place during the week with 1.8 million viewers, followed by Fox News (1.6 million viewers); A&E (1.5 million); Adult Swim and Fx (tied with 1.2 million.)

Disney was the most watched network on a 24-hour basis for the third straight week with an average of 1.9 million viewers, beating out Nickelodeon’s 1.8 million viewers and Adult Swim’s 1.3 million watchers.

Discovery was the most watched network last week among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, while Adult Swim was tops among 18-34 year olds.

Most Watched Cable Shows For The Week Of July 29 to Aug. 4

DateShowNetworkViewers

7/30/2013            RIZZOLI & ISLES                                       TNT                    5.3 million           

8/4/2013              NASCAR SPRINT CUP      (Live)                  ESPN                  5.0 million           

7/29/2013            MAJOR CRIMES                                          TNT                    4.9 million           

8/4/2013              MEGALODON MONSTER SHARK                 DISCOVERY         4.8 million           

8/1/2013              PAWN STARS                                             HISTORY             4.3 million           

7/29/2013            AMERICAN PICKERS                                  HISTORY             4.2 million           

8/4/2013              TRUE BLOOD                                             HBO                    4.1 million           

7/29/2013            LOVE & HIP HOP ATLANTA 2                      VH1                     4.1 million           

8/1/2013              PAWN STARS                                             HISTORY              4.1 million           

7/29/2013            WWE ENTERTAINMENT                              USA                     3.8 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.