Many top
cable networks took another decided hit in viewership in the second quarter of 2015 versus the same period of the year before. Only five of the top 20 ad-supported cable networks showed overall
prime-time viewer gains in the second quarter of this year according to Nielsen, versus the same period a year ago.
Those that made improvements included Fox News, up 2% to 1.6 million; HGTV 13%
higher to 1.49 million; Discovery, 16% more to 1.42 million; Food Network, adding 5% to 1.07 million; and ID up 8% to 873,000.
The top three ad-supported cable networks showed losses: TNT was
off 15% to 2.07 million average viewers; USA Network giving up 16% to 1.7 million; and TBS, down 4% to 1.67 million.
One of the bigger declines among top cable channels came with A&E
Network, sinking 22% to 957,000 average prime-time viewers.
Thirteen networks averaged 1 million or more prime-time viewers in the second quarter 2015 -- down from the 17 networks a year
ago.
Some networks ranked 20 through 30 had a better time making improvements: Hallmark Channel gaining 7% to 679,000; Animal Planet, inching up 1% to 671,000; TV Land, 3% higher to 604,000;
and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, adding 42% to 438,000.
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