• by Wayne Friedman , November 29, 2013

Although November is a tougher time period for big cable networks to compete, AMC, Hallmark Channel, NFL Network, Lifetime and Bravo made strong viewer improvements.

In prime time, AMC rose 11% to an average 1.79 million viewers -- mostly as a result of its big original shows including “The Walking Dead.”

Hallmark Channel, in ramping up for its annual strong holiday season, tacked on a big 38% in prime-time viewers to 1.78 million viewers. In addition, Hallmark Movie Channel grew a substantial 70% to 322,000 average prime-time viewers. NFL Network, still broadening out its pay TV universe of subscribers -- as well as posting higher-rated Thursday night games -- rose 53% to an average 996,000.  

Other notable gainers among the bigger networks: Nick at Nite rose 13% to 1.16 million viewers; Lifetime inched 6% higher to 1.16 million; and Bravo added 9% to reach 954,000 viewers.

ESPN, in the thick of its big NFL season with “Monday Night Football,” maintained the best prime-time results, pulling in 3.16 million viewers -- up 3% from a year ago.

November is a competitive TV month -- with broadcast networks' high-profile programming going head to head with cable networks. Many veteran cable networks have suffered losses.

Second place to ESPN was Disney Channel, at 2.09 million viewers -- off 14% from a year ago. Next was Fox News at 2.03 million, down 21% versus poor comparisons to last year’s heavy political season.

USA Network slipped under the 2 million mark -- at 1.96 million viewers, down 27%. TBS was at 1.76 million, slipping 2%; History was at 1.65 million, down 13%; FX was flat at 1.6 million; TNT at 1.5 million, down 7%; and Discovery landed at 1.41 million, giving back 7%. A&E totaled 1.37 million, down 10%.

HGTV, at 1.14 million, lost 8%; ABC Family at 1.11 million, was off 8%. Syfy was at 1.1 million, declining 5%; TLC was at 1.0 million, down 12%; and Food Network came in at 986,000, dropping 3% .