• by Wayne Friedman , June 30, 2009

Many of cable's stronger networks continued their positive results in the second quarter of 2009.

Industry leader USA Network delivered strong results in prime time among both overall viewers and in the key 18-49 demographic, rising 15% to an average 3.2 million overall viewers and 9% among 18-49 viewers to 1.4 million.

USA has benefited this summer period from strong results for new drama "Royal Pains" and returning shows "Burn Notice" and "In Plain Sight."

Second-place TNT also grew, but at a slower place -- 8% in total viewers to 2.6 million and 7% among 18-49 viewers.

Disney Channel also grew by the exact same rate in prime time -- 8% to 2.3 million among total viewers and 7% among 18-49 viewers. Its core audience -- those 6-11 and 9-14 -- also climbed 7% apiece to 992,000 and 831,000 viewers, respectively.

Coming off the heavy political season, Fox News also maintained its winning ways -- rocketing up 34% to 2.1 million viewers in prime time, coming in right behind Disney Channel for fourth place. Other demos also had strong results -- including 18-49 viewers, which climbed 41% to 376,000.

Fox News competitor CNN went in the other direction in prime time in the second quarter -- down 10% to 863,000 overall viewers and down 16% among 18-49 viewers to 203,000. CNN's sister network, Headline News, had a better time of it -- up 40% to 556,000 overall viewers in prime time.

Other big players had mixed results -- ESPN off 1% to 1.7 million overall prime-time viewers and off 2% among 18-49 viewers to 827,000. TBS was lighter by 7% to 1.6 million overall viewers and off 3% to 965,000 18-49 viewers.

Losing major ground was Lifetime -- it lost 28% to 1.1 million overall viewers and was down 23% among 18-49s. Spike fell 27% to 1.0 million overall viewers and was 19% less for 18-49 viewers to 572,000.

Notable gains: BET was 44% higher to 859,000 overall viewers, and up 43% to 446,000 18-49 viewers. TLC was 25% better than second-quarter 2008 at 1.1 million viewers and 19% better among 18-49 viewers at 550,000.

Food Network showed a 20% gain to 1.0 million overall viewers, and was 18% higher to 520,000 18-49 viewers.