USA Network Starts Year Off Strong

USA Network has begun 2009 in good stead, finishing January as cable's highest-rated basic network in primetime, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The “Characters Welcome” network rode January season debuts of popular original series Monk, Psych and Burn Notice to a 2.3 primetime household rating for the month, besting TNT and Disney Channel, which both averaged a 1.7 rating for second place.

USA continued its momentum from 2008 where it finished the year as the top-rated cable network, averaging a 2.2 rating.

Fox News Channel was next with a (1.6 rating), followed by Nick at Nite (1.5) ESPN and TBS (tied with a 1.4 rating). Hallmark Channel, A&E Network and History, all with a 1.3 rating, rounded out the top 10 for the month.