• January 3, 2002

Ad-supported cable dominated Christmas week television viewing, surpassing the combined primetime audience of the seven broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN, WB, PAX) by the largest margins in the history of the medium. According to Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau analysis of Nielsen data for the week of December 24-30, ad-supported cable's average primetime U.S. household delivery was up by 2.5 million homes ( +9.5%) compared to the same period last year; rating climbed by 1.5 points (+5.7%); and share gained 5.2 points (+11.2%). The seven broadcast networks, on the other hand, collectively lost 3.4 million homes in primetime delivery (-12.8%) for the week; 4.0 rating points (-15.5%); and 5.3 share points (-11.%). As a result, viewership of ad-supported cable in Week #14 outdistanced total broadcast network tune-in by almost 6.1 million homes, 5.7 rating points, and 10.6 share points.