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For the Third Consecutive Week in the '03 Summer Season, Ad-Supported Cable Surpasses 50 Primetime Share

The Seven Broadcast Networks Tally their Lowest Rating of the Year in Week #38

June 18, 2003

Ad-supported cable registered an average primetime U.S. household share of 52.6 for the June 9-15 reporting period—making it the third consecutive week of 50+ shares for cable since the 2003 summer viewing period began on May 26th. According to a Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau analysis of Nielsen data for Week #38, ad-supported cable outdistanced the seven broadcast networks combined (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN, WB, PAX) by 12.8 primetime share points.

In other primetime audience measures for the week, ad-supported cable had an average

U.S. household delivery of almost 31 million homes and a 29.0 rating—surpassing the collective viewership of the seven broadcast networks by 7.7 million homes and 7.2 rating points.

The broadcast networks’ collective 21.8 primetime rating is their lowest for the 002/2003 TV season-to-date.

WEEK 38 PRIMETIME VIEWERSHIP: 2002/2003
AD-SUPPORTED CABLE VIEWERSHIP VS. SEVEN BROADCAST NETWORKS*
Primetime=Mon thru Sat 8–11pm/Sun 7–11pm
	U.S. HH DELIVERY (000)	U.S. HH RATING	U.S. HH SHARE
Ad-Supported Cable	30,960	29.0	52.6
7 Broadcast Networks	23,309	21.8	39.8

*ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN, WB, PAX Weighted Gross

Source: Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau analysis of Nielsen data, 6/9/03-6/15/03