Ad-supported cable reached its highest-ever primetime share of viewing for the second consecutive week. According to a Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau analysis of Nielsen data for Week #39 (June
17-23) of the 2001/2002 TV season, ad-supported cable tied its all-time record 54.1 primetime U.S. household share achieved the week before. Compared to the same period last year, cable picked up 4.5
primetime share points (+9.1%), 2.2 rating points (+8.3%), and almost 3.2 million homes (+11.7%). Ad-supported cable’s 16.8 point share lead over the seven broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN,
WB and PAX) in Week #39 was another all-time record for any time of the year. Also in Week #39, the seven broadcast networks collectively posted their lowest-ever primetime share (37.3 points); and
FOX topped ABC in all audience measures to become the #3-rated broadcast network for the reporting period. This is the fourth consecutive week that ad-supported cable has posted a 50+ primetime share;
and the fifth consecutive week it has surpassed the seven broadcast networks combined in primetime audience.
