USA Network Tops Cable Weekly Ratings Race

USA Network took top weekly primetime ratings honors last week, the third different network to hold the top spot thus far this summer.  

USA  drew 1.9 million viewers during the week of June 9 to June 15 to top all cable networks, according to Nielsen. Last week’s winner History finished in a second place tie with Disney Channel and Fox News with 1.7 million viewers, while TNT finished in fifth with 1.5 million viewers.

TBS (1.46 million); A&E (1.4 million); HGTV (1.3 million); FX (1.2 million) and Nick At Nite (1.1 million) rounded out the top 10 for the week.

Nickelodeon barely topped Disney on a 24-hour basis, averaging 1.47 million viewers to Disney’s 1.40 million watchers. Adult Swim (1.2 million); Cartoon Network (1.1 million) and USA Network (1.1 million) followed closely behind.

USA was also the most watched network among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, while Adult Swim was the top choice for adults 18-34 in prime time.

For the second week in a row HBO’s Game Of Thrones (pictured) was the most watched show on cable. The fantasy-themed show drew 7.1 million in its season four finale, topping TNT’s Major Crimes, which drew 5.1 million watchers.

Most Watched Shows For the Week of June 9 to June 15

6/15/2014            GAME OF THRONES                        HBOM                   7.1 million           

6/9/2014              MAJOR CRIMES                                TNT                        5.1 million           

6/11/2014            DUCK DYNASTY                                 A&E                       4.5 million           

6/15/2014            SPRINT CUP RACNG/MICHIGAN        TNT                        4.2 million           

6/9/2014              WWE ENTERTAINMENT                 USA                       4.2 million           

6/9/2014              WWE ENTERTAINMENT                 USA                       4.2 million

6/15/2014            WORLD CUP SOCCER        L            ESPN                     4.2 million           

6/14/2014            WORLD CUP SOCCER        L            ESPN                     4.1 million

6/12/2014            WORLD CUP SOCCER        L            ESPN                     4.0 million

6/9/2014              WWE ENTERTAINMENT                 USA                       3.8 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.