Ad-supported Cable Tops All Other TV Sources In Hours Spent Viewing In 2001-2002.

The nation’s TV homes spent more hours per week watching ad-supported cable television than any other source of television during the soon-to-be-completed 2001/2002 season. According to a Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau analysis of Nielsen data, this also marks the first time that ad-supported cable has surpassed the number of combined weekly hours tuned-in to all broadcast network affiliates on a season-long basis.

On average, during the 2001/02 season, U.S. homes spent 26.5 hours per week watching ad-supported cable (+8.8 percent versus last season) compared to 24.5 (- 6.4 percent) for all broadcast network affiliates combined. A year before, ad-supported cable recorded 24.4 hours versus 26.2 collectively for all broadcast network affiliates.

Overall, American households spent more time watching television in 2001/2002-with ad-supported cable’s gains driving the growth. The average number of weekly hours per household spent watching all sources of TV this season has increased by 1.4 percent to 60.3. “This provides tangible proof that television viewership continues to grow at a healthy clip and is not being adversely affected by Internet usage,” said CAB President & CEO Joe Ostrow.

Source: Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau analysis of Nielsen Galaxy data, 9/24/01-8/25/02 vs. 10/2/00-9/2/01