Data Shows Shift In Cable Viewership In '08

Exclusive data reveals some interesting shifts among cable sports network viewership in ‘08, and while these numbers are always to be taken with a grain of salt, they do offer a glimpse into some consumption habits. Versus saw the biggest viewership bump among cable sports nets in both total-day programming and primetime, up 20.2% and 23.6%, respectively, from a year ago, and so they will have a story to offer Madison Avenue. Speed Channel also saw double-digit growth in '08. Among the ESPN-branded nets, ESPN and ESPN2 are still overwhelmingly drawing the largest amounts of total viewers, but after solid growth for the family of networks over the years, only the flagship experienced gains in '08. The big conundrum for execs in Bristol is the future of ESPN Classic, which saw nearly a 30% drop in both total-day and primetime viewership.