Disney Channel Captures Weekly Cable Ratings Honors

Disney Channel topped the weekly cable primetime and total day ratings charts for the second week in a row, according to Nielsen.

The kids-targeted network -- still riding the success of its Teen Beach Movie telefilm (pictured), which drew 3.7 million viewers in its fourth encore after garnering 8.4 million watchers for its July 20 premiere -- averaged 2.5 million primetime viewers during the period of July 22 to July 28 to lead all cable networks, according to Nielsen. USA Network finished in second place with 2.3 million viewers, followed by TNT’s 2.0 million tally, History’s 1.8 million viewers and Fox News’ 1.7 million watchers.

TBS (1.6 million viewers); A&E (1.4 million); Discovery Channel (1.3 million); HGTV (1.2 million) and FX (1.1 million) rounded out the top 10.

Disney also captured the top spot among basic cable on a 24-hour basis, averaging 2.0 million viewers, according to Nielsen. Nickelodeon finished second with 1.8 million watchers, followed by Adult Swim (1.3 million); Nick At Nite (1.2 million) and Cartoon Network (1.1 million.)

USA Network was tops for the week in primetime among adults 18-49 and 25-54, while Adult Swim finished first among adult 18-49 viewers, according to Nielsen.

Most Watched Cable Shows For The Week Of July 22 to July 28

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.