Week 51 of the 2002/03 Season (9/8-9/14/03)

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Week 51 of the 2002/03 Season (9/8-9/14/03)

Primetime:

Cable delivered a 53.3 share this week, surpassing the 50 share mark for the 16th consecutive week and out-shinning the seven nets by an astounding 13.3 share points among households. This week rounded out the end of the 02/03 Broadcast Season as Cable continued to outperform the seven nets by 8.4 million homes and 7.7 HH rating points this week. Cable continues to be viewers’ top choice for programming as Cable's share increased 2.0 points from last year and Broadcast's share continued to erode week after week this season. In fact, all of Broadcast's audience measurements experienced declines this week greatly thanks to Fox’s and ABC’s weak performances.

In Third Quarter to date, Cable is outperforming Broadcast’s seven nets by a remarkable 18.6 share points. Cable is delivering 32 million homes; 30 household rating points; and a 55.2 household share. Compared to year ago, Cable is up 2.2 share points while Broadcast is down 1.5 points to a low 36.6.

For the official 02/03 Broadcast Season, Cable captured half of the primetime TV viewing - delivering its highest share to date on a season basis, a 49.6. For the second broadcast season in a row, Cable outperformed the Broadcast seven nets by a healthy 2.9 million homes; 2.7 HH rating points; and 4.6 HH share points. Compared to year ago, Cable's share grew almost two share points whereas Broadcasts declined two points. Even with all of the new reality programming, Broadcast couldn't hold on to its audience as viewership fell 615,000 homes from year ago. Broadcast's erosion this season was driven mainly by NBC who share was down 11%.

Download Primetime Spreadsheet

Total Day:

For the 2002/2003 season, ad-supported cable outperformed broadcast in HH viewership, ratings and share. The differences were 5.0 million, 4.7 points and 14.2 points, respectively. Cable rose to 18.1 million homes, up 1.4 million homes from last year. Cable’s ratings jumped 1.1 points to 16.9 and its share also rose to finish at 51.3, an increase of 1.9 points from last year. The broadcast networks continued to experience ratings decreases from last year. Ratings were down 0.2 points to end at 12.2 and share was down 1.5 points to 37.1.

Ad Supported Cable delivered 18.1 million homes in the 51st week of the 02/03 Season, representing an increase of 1.1 million viewers from last year on a Total Day basis. Cable’s household ratings increased 0.8 points from a year ago to 16.7 and the share increased by 1.7 points to end at 51.9. Cable’s share was once again greater than that of the Broadcast Networks (4 Net.), with the difference being a solid 15.7 points. The broadcast networks were up slightly in impressions but had declines in ratings and share.

Cable, to date, in the third quarter, has a strong lead over the broadcast networks. It ended with a 53.9 share, 20.4 points above Broadcast’s level. Ratings were up 0.8 points to finish at 17.1, and share increased 1.3 points from last year. The Broadcast Networks have experienced a slight increase in viewership, while ratings and share have declined.

Download Total Day Spreadsheet

Source: Nielsen Galaxy.

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