CBS, ESPN Tops With TV Viewers

Watching-TV-ABC-
Looking at the ratings that matter most to advertisers, CBS and Fox have had improving TV seasons this year.

Through January 15, Nielsen’s C3 data -- commercial ratings plus three days of time-shifted viewing -- has CBS and Fox in a virtual dead heat when it comes to 18-49 viewers. CBS is pulling in 3.263 million viewers on average in prime time to Fox’s 3.241 million. 

A report from Santa Monica, Calif.-based media agency RPA indicates that CBS has gained 7% in 18-49 viewers, while Fox has climbed 12% over the same time a year ago. RPA says shows like “X Factor,"  while not pulling big numbers, still contribute to Fox’s efforts.

NBC and ABC have witnessed declines -- NBC dropping 9% to 3.048 million among 18-49 viewers through C3 and ABC losing 5% to 2.652 million.

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Among the cable networks, ESPN still pulls in top viewing data among both total viewers and 18-49 viewers: 3.583 million overall viewers and 1.719 million 18-49 viewers. But according to the analysis, ESPN lost 7% in total average viewers and 10% in 18-49.

Considering all networks, RPA says ESPN ranks in fifth place after Fox in total average viewership.

While Nickelodeon has had its own troubles with losing kid viewers, per Nielsen, RPA says overall viewership is still pretty robust in C3 data -- grabbing nearly 2.5 million, which is down 6% versus a year ago, good for seventh place among all networks. Plus, it is up 1% to 597,000 viewers among 18-49 viewers. Among younger 18-34 viewers, the network has gained 9% to 331,000.

USA Network made improvements in total viewership -- one of three networks to do so in the top 10. (CBS and Fox were the other two). USA gained 3% to 2.658 million, which was second to ESPN. USA lost 3% of its 18-49 viewers to land at 986,000.

TBS has performed better than USA this season in 18-49, though down versus a year ago. It lost 1% to 1.042 million. USA is still tops over TBS when it comes to older 25-54 viewers, now at 1.019 million compared to TBS at 979,000).

CW continues to suffer, although RPA notes it's still in the top 10 among all networks. It lost 19% in overall viewers to 1.4 million; down 29% among 18-34 viewers to 402,000; and 24% lower among 18-49 viewers to 744,000.

1 comment about "CBS, ESPN Tops With TV Viewers".
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  1. Darrin Stephens from McMann & Tate, April 5, 2012 at 2:17 p.m.

    Wow, RPA just published data that's more than 2 months months out of date. Up to the minute when seconds count!

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