
Cold weather in most of the U.S. may have led U.S. TV watchers to stay indoors, driving higher overall C3 TV ratings in the early weeks of 2014 -- only the second month of growth over
the past year.
In January, Nielsen C3 ratings among key 18-49 viewers were slightly higher for both broadcast and cable networks, according to MoffettNathanson Research. The Nielsen C3
metric is the average commercial ratings plus three days of time-shifted TV viewing.
In prime time, broadcast networks gained 1.6% in C3 to an average 10.4 million 18-49 viewers, while
cable networks grew 3% to 22.6 million 18-49 viewers. Overall, TV C3 18-49 prime-time viewing improved 2.5% in January to 33 million, according to the Nielsen C3 metric.
On the broadcast
side, both Fox and CBS benefited as a result of stronger NFL Championship and playoff games, with Fox up 12% to 3.8 million 18-49 viewers in C3 and CBS 11% higher to 2.8 million.
NBC gained
just 1% to 2.5 million, and ABC declined by 19% to 1.8 million. MoffettNathanson says ABC suffered because of lower ratings for its original scripted programming.
Three major cable network
groups showed significant gains -- AMC's four networks were up 33% to an average 753,000 adult 18-49 viewers. Six Discovery Communications networks grew a total of 10% to 2.5 million, while twelve
Viacom networks were up a total of 6% to 3.7 million.
More modest gainers included NBCU -- with more than a dozen channels, up 1% to 3.1 million 18-49 viewers -- and Scripps Networks' six
networks, 1% higher to 1.27 million.
Disney's eight cable networks were down 1% to 2.69 million. Registering a steeper drop, seven Time Warner cable networks collectively sank 16%.
In total day C3 18-49 ratings -- looking at specific channels -- USA Network, Spike, AMC, ID, History, Lifetime, TLC, Food Network, ABC Family, and Syfy were higher during the month. Losing ground:
Nick at Nite, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, FX, MTV, TNT, A&E, TBS, Adult Swim, BET, HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, Comedy and Discovery.
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