Prime-time cable ratings for January 1, 1996 to December 1, 1996 (USA TODAY, 12/16):
| CHANNEL | RATING | CHANGE | | CHANNEL | RATING | CHANGE |
| TNT | 2.1 | 5% | WGN | 1.1 | 10% |
| USA | 2 | -13% | CNN | 0.9 | -25% |
| TBS | 1.9 | -5% | TNN | 0.9 | -10% |
| Nickelodeon | 1.8 | 13% | MTV | 0.7 | even |
| ESPN | 1.6 | -6% | fX | 0.7 | even |
| Lifetime | 1.5 | even | Sci-Fi | 0.6 | -14% |
| A&E | 1.3 | 30% | CNBC | 0.5 | 25% |
| Discovery | 1.2 | 9% | Comedy Central | 0.5 | 25% |
| Cartoon | 1.2 | -14% | Headline News | 0.3 | even |
| Family Channel | 1.1 | 22% | Court TV | 0.1 | -80% |
CABLE NEWS: TNT's is atop the cable ratings "thanks to newer theatrical films, quality original movies and ... pro wrestling," according to Wayne Friedman of INSIDE MEDIA. But TNT President Brad Siegel said the increase is not based on sports programming, adding "sports wasn't a big growth area" (INSIDE MEDIA, 12/11 issue)....Cable advertising executives rate ESPNEWS and CNN/SI at "the top of the heap," when it comes to emerging cable networks with the "greatest potential for revenue growth," according to Will Workman in CABLE WORLD. The findings come from the Myers Reports 13th annual survey, in which 711 advertising executives answered questionnaires in August and September (CABLE WORLD, 12/16).
