By Anthony Crupi 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Mediaweek) -
For all the agitation it caused the
television industry, the writers strike had an undeniably
salubrious effect on cable ratings, as seven of the top 10
ad-supported networks in February saw their primetime
deliveries swell by double-digit percentages compared with a
year ago.
According to Nielsen Media Research data from January
28-February 24, the 10 leading ad-supported cable networks
averaged a 24.9% increase in total viewers in primetime
compared with February 2007, a number inflated by CNN's
primary-fueled surge of 133%. With CNN pulled out of the mix,
the remaining nine still averaged a sizable 15.1%
year-over-year increase.
USA Network was No. 1 for the month, averaging 3 million
viewers in primetime, a 10% jump compared with February 2007.
USA also won two of the top three demographics, averaging 1.29
million adults 18-49 and 1.32 million adults 25-54, both
representing increases of 11%.
TNT was second, up 7% in primetime with 2.3 million
viewers. Fox News Channel was No. 3 with 1.87 million viewers,
a 16% jump.
TBS was fourth with 1.86 million total viewers, an 8%
increase, and won the adults 18-34 category with 664,000
viewers, a leap of 18%. CNN enjoyed a vertiginous leap in
February, averaging 1.67 million viewers, compared with 783,000
a year ago.
Rounding out the top 10 ad-supported networks: Nick at Nite
(1.65 million, up 35%); FX (1.5 million, up 26%); A&E, the only
net to drop slightly at 1.46 million (down 6%); ESPN (1.39
million, up 18%); and Hallmark Channel (1.34 million, up 22%).
Cable nets that backslid in February were few and far
between. Eleventh-ranked Lifetime fell 21% to 1.31 million,
while Cartoon Network was off by 9% (1.2 million), and TV Land
by 18%.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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