National cable network advertising revenues were up in the second quarter of 2002, according to a tabulation by PriceWaterhouseCoopers released by the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau yesterday.
Second quarter cable network revenues, reports PWC, rose almost 1% versus last year to $2.77 billion. The biggest percentage gain for the three-month period came in June, with an increase of 22%. For
the first half of 2002, national cable network revenues were down less than 1% to $5.04 billion—contrary to an earlier report of larger declines by other industry sources. “The PriceWaterhouseCoopers
data has more validity because it is collected independently and is based on unadjusted numbers,” said CAB President & CEO Joe Ostrow. PWC has tabulated cable network revenues on a monthly basis since
the early 1990s. “In a tougher than usual year, we’re pleased that cable has held its own; and are optimistic about the upcoming new season in which we expect primetime viewership of ad-supported
cable to surpass that of the seven broadcast networks combined,” added Ostrow.
