The Hollywood Reporter says it’s been another good summer for cable, adding that ad-supported cable networks have again hit record viewership. Using data developed by Turner Broadcasting’s research head Jack Wakshlag, THR says there’s been a small gain over the record set last summer to about 51 million total viewers in prime and about a 13% gain over 2004. The analysis runs from 5/26-8/17, so NBC’s Olympics coverage is factored in for ten nights.“There is more TV viewing this summer than ever before,” Wakshlag commented. “That was true before the Summer Olympics started, and it has been...

It's no coincidence that cable shows such as "The Closer," "Mad Men" and "Project Runway" are stealing all the buzz and some of the ratings from their broadcast counterparts once again this summer. The cumulative $19 billion investment cable networks have put into original programming since 2003 is beginning to pay off, according to a pair of new studies from the Cable Advertising Bureau and SNL Kagan.

A recent CAB analysis of cable programming from 2003 to 2008 shows just how dramatically cable networks have shifted away from the old model of acquired programming, cable's former bread and...

The Food Network has crowned the latest winner of their Next Food Network Star competition series.  Aaron McCargo Jr. will star in his own Food Network cooking show!  TV viewers have acquired quite a taste for this reality series, as evidenced by the large numbers generated by the finale.  The premiere episodes sizzled with a 3.2 rating among women 25-54.

In other ratings news, Discovery Channel's primetime block of programming continues to net male viewers.  For example, last week's premiere episode of Deadliest Catch racked up a 2.5 rating among men 18-49.

Another...