Basic cable is a mercurial, ephemeral world where even the lowest-budget productions can succeed on zeitgeist-tapping alone (see: Logo’s RuPaul’s Drag Race), and the ineffable star quality of Mark-Paul Gosselaar (TNT’s Raising the Bar) gets its due. And nowhere is that better reflected than MediaWeek’s second-annual Cable Hot List, which is meant to help media buyers figure out which networks deserve their multi-millions most, but also provides a TV geek-friendly snapshot of the landscape over the past year.
USA’s still No. 1 — Monk may be tired, but Burn Notice is blazing hot, averaging a now-prime-time-worthy 6.6 million viewers. The Disney Channel cracks the list at No. 2 this year, and for good reason (her name is Hannah Montana, pictured) — the kids’ net has swept pop culture this year, bringing us chart-toppers Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, not to mention the enduring stardom of the High School Musical alums. Its older sister, ABC Family, comes in at No. 6, thanks in no small part to pregnant-teen drama The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which has been known to beat Gossip Girl in its Monday time slot. Fox News (No. 3) thrived despite/because of the changing of the political guard from conservative to liberal (remember, Comedy Central’s Daily Show rose to power when it had a national government to buck up against). But its chief rival, at least ideologically — MSNBC — made a splash as well (thanks, Rachel Maddow!), coming in at No. 8. As for drama, there’s plenty of that, too, with TNT (home of The Closer, Saving Grace, and Gosselaar) at No. 4 and Mad Men net AMC at No. 10.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Do Disney, ABC Family, and Fox News rule your cable viewing? Anything you’re surprised not to see (MTV, Nickelodeon, or my fave, the History Channel)?
Comments (1-7) of 7 Add your comment
I’m not surprised Burn Notice is doing so well–it’s my current obsession ! =D
I’m not 13 or an idiot, so no Disney Channel or Fox News for me. When I watch cable shows, they are usually on USA or Mythbusters on Discovery.
I’m not at all surprised by USA Network. I watch several original shows on that network (with Burn Notice being my favorite). I am one of the under 40’s that uses The Daily Show as a news show (I do read papers, magazines, and online articles as well, I swear!) so Comedy Central being on there doesn’t surprise me either.
What does actually surprise me a little is Discovery not being on there. It is my second favorite cable channel behind USA, and I watch a few programs on it, including Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs. I would definitely think it was higher than ABC Family, but obviously I’m mistaken. (I can’t be the only one who found Secret Life to be completely insipid and unwatchable, can I?)
This was interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I love Raising the Bar on TNT. You’re right Mark-Paul Gosselaar is great in it. Looking forward to it returning.
I’m happy that Burn Notice has done so well, but Monk’s ratings are just as good and usually better. It certainly isn’t “tired” by my standards or by Nielsen’s.
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After viewing DVD 1 of Season One, I wanted solid stories with solid acting. What I found left me wanting my time back. The story lines are shallow. There is no richness to them. The only solid acting comes from the ER co-stars Reubens and Scarfe, with the right writers they could work it out. Kaczmarek needs better writing or a better vehicle and Gosselaar needs acting classes (and not the one he is currently in).
If you want a good show (quality writing and acting) watch “The Practice” on Hulu, or “Boston Legal” or dig up “L.A. Law”.