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Strike? What Strike? Cable Adds Viewers

Apr 18, 2008  •  Post A Comment

Cable networks added viewers at an accelerated pace during the Writers Guild of America strike, and when it ended, they continued to post record high ratings, the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau said in a report released Friday.
Among adults 18-49 the gap in average nightly prime-time viewing between ad-supported cable network and broadcast grew to a 23% advantage in favor of cable. That’s up from a 3% advantage in the first half of the previous year. The gap grew in a similar fashion across other demographic groups, the CAB said.
“The midterm data demonstrates that cable programming drove the growth of the television audience during the first half of this year—with the viewing of cable steadily rising,” Sean Cunningham, president and CEO of the CAB, said in a statement. “Moreover, as we move into the ’08 upfront season, cable’s original programming slate and ratings strength have never been more evident.”
The CAB said the growth in overall prime time television viewing is notable because it comes despite increased use of alternate video sources such as Internet video and mobile devices.
(Editor: Baumann)

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