Week 43 of the 2002/03 Season (7/14-7/20/03)

Primetime:

Cable continued its 50 share streak for the eighth consecutive week and outshined Broadcast by an amazing 15.9 share points in Primetime. In addition, Cable's delivery outperformed Broadcast's by an incredible 9.1 million homes and 8.6 household rating points this 43rd week of the 02/03 season. Compared to last year, Cable's share grew a healthy share point. Similarly, Broadcast experienced some gains as well this week thanks greatly to NBC's original programming Law & Order & Dateline episodes and Fox's MLB All star game.

To date this season, Cable is out-performing Broadcast seven nets by 2.1 share points. Cable is delivering 31.1 million homes, garnering a 29.2 HH rating, and earning a 48.6 share. Compared to year ago, cable is experiencing healthy gains whereas Broadcast is down across all audience measures. The seven networks have lost 590,000 viewers to date and are experiencing significant rating and share losses compared to last year’s levels. NBC is the main driver of share loss partly due to telecast’s of the Olympics last year.

Third Quarter is off to a great start as Cable is outperforming Broadcast’s seven nets by an astounding 18.3 share points. To date, Cable is delivering 31.1 million homes; 29.1 household rating points; and a 54.9 household share. Compared to year ago, Cable is up 1.8 share points while Broadcast is down 1.1 points to a low 36.6. Four out of the total seven nets have experienced significant share declines to date with ABC and Fox leading the pact.

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Total Day:

Ad Supported Cable delivered 17.8 million homes in the 43rd week of the 02/03 Season, representing an increase of 624,000 viewers from last year on a Total Day basis. Cable’s household ratings increased 0.4 points from a year ago to 16.7 and the share increased by 0.5 points to end at 53.1. Cable’s share was once again greater than that of the Broadcast Networks (4 Net.), with the difference being a commanding 19.6 points. The broadcast networks were up in viewership, held steady in ratings, but suffered a decrease in share.

Cable, to date, in the third quarter, has a strong lead over the broadcast networks. It ended with a 54.0 share, 21.1 points above Broadcast’s level. Ratings were up 0.6 points to finish at 16.9, and share increased 0.9 points from last year. The Broadcast Networks have experienced a slight increase in viewership, ratings have held constant and share has decreased.

For this season, cable rose to 18.0 million homes, up 1.4 million homes from last year. Cable’s ratings increased by 1.1 points to end at 16.9 and its share rose to 50.9, an increase of 2.0 points from last year. The broadcast networks continued to experience declines from last year. It sustained losses across the board, as impressions fell by 20,000 homes, ratings declined by 0.2 to end at 12.5 and share decreased by 1.6 points to end at 37.7.

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Source: Nielsen Galaxy.