ESPN closed out October as the most watched network in primetime, according to Nielsen.
The sports network averaged 2.9 million viewers to top all comers during the week of Oct. 26-Nov. 1, easily besting second place AMC, which generated 1.9 million viewers.
CNBC rode its record-setting Oct. 28 Republican Debate coverage to a third place finish for the week with 1.8 million viewers, beating out rival cable news service Fox News’ 1.6 million watchers.
USA Network (1.5 million viewers) TNT and Disney Channel (tied with 1.4 million) TBS (1.3 million), HGTV (1.2 million) and Discovery Channel (1.1 million) rounded out the top 10.
ESPN, Nickelodeon and Fox News tied for the top spot among the most watched cable networks on a 24-hour basis with 1.1 million, with Disney Channel and Adult Swim close behind, according to Nielsen.
Most Watched Cable Shows For Week Of Oct. 26 to Nov. 1
Date Telecast Network Total Viewers
10/28 Republican Presidential Debate CNBC 14.0 million
11/1 The Walking Dead AMC 13.3 million
10/26 Monday Night Football (Balt-Ariz) ESPN 12.2 million
11/1 Talking Dead AMC 4.6 million
10/31 College Football (Mich-Minn) ESPN 3.6 million
10/26 SportsCenter ESPN 3.6 million
10/26 WWE Monday Night Raw USA 3.6 million
10/30 Gold Rush Discovery 3.5 million
10/31 College Football (Ole Miss-Auburn) ESPN 3.4 million
10/29 The O’Reilly Factor Fox News 3.4 million
Source: Nielsen
