TNT Tops Weekly Ratings Charts

TNT slam dunked its way to the top of the primetime ratings charts last week, riding its NBA playoffs coverage to finish as the most watched network in primetime.

TNT averaged 2.5 million viewers to top Fox News’ 2.0 million viewers during the week of April 25 to May 1, according to Nielsen. ESPN finished third with 1.9 million viewers, followed by a fourth place tie between USA Network and Disney Channel at 1.4 million.

HGTV (1.3 million subscribers), TBS, Discovery Channel, CNN (all tied with 1.2 million viewers) and History (1.1 million), rounded out the top 10.

Fox News and Nickelodeon finished in a first place tie among all cable networks on a 24-hour basis, averaging 1.1 million viewers. Adult Swim, TNT and Disney Channel all averaged 1.0 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

TNT was also tops among adults 18-49, women 18-49 and women 25-54, according to Nielsen.

Most Watched Cable Shows During The Week of April 25-May 1

DateShow   Network  Total Viewers

4/30   Game Of Thrones                                          HBO                            7.2 million

4/28   NFL Draft                                                       ESPN                           6.2 million

5/1     Fear The Walking Dead                                AMC                            4.8 million

5/1     Bridge between shows                                  HBO                            3.7 million

4/27   NBA Playoffs (Houston/Golden State)          TNT                             3.6 million

5/1     NBA Playoffs (Indiana/Toronto)                    TNT                             3.6 million

4/30   NBA Playoffs (OKC/San Antonio                 TNT                             3.5 million

5/1     Break between shows                                 HBO                             3.5 million

4/26   Hannity                                                       Fox News                     3.2 million

4/25   WWE Monday Night Raw                           USA                             3.2 million

Source: Nielsen

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.