Broadcast Network TV Watch-Time Down, Cable News Up

Each week, we highlight the most-watched shows and networks using insights from Inscape, the currency-grade smart TV ACR data provider and data technology division of Vizio. Data is linear, live TV only and includes all episode types (new and reruns). Rankings are by percent share duration (i.e., time spent watching). Here's a look at the top 25 networks by viewership share for May 27 through June 2 — head over to TVREV to see the program ranking and get insights about the top shows by watch-time.

There was little week-over-week movement in the upper echelon of the ranking, with the top seven networks maintaining their positions but seeing fluctuations in viewership share. ABC remains in first place week-over-week, but its viewership share decreased from 7.58% to 6.66%. CBS stays at No. 2, but watch-time declined from 7.48% previously to 6.59%. 

• Among the top seven networks that retained ranking positions, only Fox News and MSNBC saw watch-time rise compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, CNN moves from No. 12 to No. 9 and increased its viewership share from 1.56% to 1.97%. These increases are likely due in part to tune-in around coverage of former president Donald Trump’s felony conviction.
• The NCAA men's baseball tournament and the women’s college world series helped fuel ESPN2’s rise from No. 22 previously to No. 19. 
• FX was the only week-over-week ranking newcomer, landing at No. 24 with 1.03% of watch-time. 

On the programming side of things, there’s a new leader in town that even managed to dunk on the NBA playoffs — get the details on TVREV.