• by September 22, 2006

Wayne Friedman noted that Bravo's "Fall Season Death Watch" misses a point by not including cable shows in the contest. In his column, he posed the question: "What about some of the lesser-known niche networks like HGTV, G4, or the Outdoor Channel?"

HGTV would be happy to compete in this contest, but please put us in the right category, right along the broadcast networks--and Bravo--not as a "lesser-known niche network."

In September, HGTV's distribution grew to more than 91 million households. Also this month, HGTV achieved its highest-rated week (Sept 3-10), highest-rated series ("HGTV Design Star") and highest-rated prime-time telecast ("HGTV Design Star" finale, Sept. 10) in network history. Just last month, HGTV earned its most-watched month ever (August 2006), ranking #11 in prime time among basic cable networks in households and adult 25-54 and #5 with Women 25-54, making HGTV's prime-time viewership comparable to that of A&E, History Channel and Comedy Central.

HGTV's prime-time average delivery over the past 4 weeks is 1,010,000 households. By contrast, G4 is in 58 million households and average prime viewership is 85,000 households. Outdoor Channel is in 28 million HHs; ratings are not available. Even with the hit "Project Runway" on the air, Bravo itself averaged 558,000 households in prime time over the same 4-week period.

To call HGTV a "niche" reconfirms that many industry people still perceive a vast divide between broadcast and cable networks. However, when you look at the numbers that track viewership, the truth is that it's all just TV--the point that I think Friedman was trying to make in the first place.