ESPN in December is in 98.5 million homes, marking the first time since '08 that the network is in under 99 million U.S. homes entering the college bowl season. ESPN last topped the 100 million home mark in July '11. ESPNU is in a network-record 73.9 million homes in December, marking the second straight month the net has set a new record. Also setting new distribution records in December are NFL Network, Fox Soccer, Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. NBA TV set a new mark, crossing the 60 million home mark for the first time. The Weather Channel continues to lead all U.S. cable nets in distribution with 99.9 million homes. Listed below are the top 10 U.S. cable nets in distribution for December, with comparisons to the same period in recent years. Also listed are figures for networks with significant sports content.

NOTE: Figures not available for nets that do not subscribe to regular Nielsen ratings, including the Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, Fox College Sports, Longhorn Network, NHL Network, Tennis Channel and Universal Sports.