Distribution figures for U.S. cable networks during the month of August show that FS1 could launch in 85.8 million homes when it replaces Speed on Aug. 17. That figure would put the net just ahead of Golf Channel in terms of distribution. FS2 also is set to replace Fuel TV soon and could be in around 37.7 million homes. NBC Sports Network also will begin its first season of EPL coverage later this month, with the net in 77.7 million U.S. homes. CNBC, in 96.2 million homes in August, will also air EPL games this season as part of the new deal. The PGA Championship gets under way today from Rochester, N.Y., and TNT -- which has the early rounds -- is in 98.1 million homes this month, down from 98.9 million at the same point last year. ESPN is in 97.7 million homes in August, the net's lowest distribution mark since September '08.
The chart below lists distribution for the top 10 cable networks for the month of August, along with distribution for networks carrying significant sports content.
CABLE TV NETWORK DISTRIBUTION FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST
|
NETWORK |
'06 (000)
|
'11 (000)
|
'12 (000)
|
'13 (000)
|
The Weather Channel |
90,584
|
100,933
|
100,066
|
99,926
|
Food Network |
89,586
|
100,481
|
99,576
|
99,283
|
TBS |
90,569
|
101,033
|
99,935
|
99,231
|
Discovery Channel |
91,185
|
100,728
|
99,528
|
98,891
|
Nickelodeon/Nick-at-Nite |
90,558
|
100,428
|
99,636
|
98,799
|
Cartoon Network/Adult Swim |
89,705
|
99,622
|
99,250
|
98,671
|
USA Network |
90,861
|
100,293
|
99,321
|
98,647
|
CNN |
90,944
|
100,148
|
99,145
|
98,496
|
A&E |
90,502
|
100,024
|
99,013
|
98,302
|
Lifetime |
90,697
|
99,850
|
98,881
|
98,251
|
TNT |
90,871
|
100,086
|
98,940
|
98,139
|
ESPN |
91,109
|
99,753
|
98,752
|
97,736
|
ESPN2 |
90,586
|
99,617
|
98,738
|
97,717
|
Spike |
90,524
|
99,685
|
98,587
|
97,639
|
CNBC |
89,192
|
98,263
|
96,589
|
96,242
|
FS1* |
67,300
|
78,310
|
81,300
|
85,798
|
Golf Channel |
69,022
|
83,954
|
84,310
|
82,089
|
NBC Sports Network |
69,775
|
76,087
|
77,191
|
77,746
|
ESPNews |
50,601
|
74,237
|
74,657
|
74,784
|
ESPNU |
n/a
|
72,917
|
73,335
|
74,445
|
NFL Network |
n/a
|
56,800
|
59,590
|
70,910
|
MLB Network |
n/a
|
56,412
|
70,150
|
70,043
|
NBA TV |
n/a
|
55,074
|
59,821
|
59,721
|
Fox Soccer |
n/a
|
39,173
|
41,314
|
52,982
|
Outdoor Channel |
27,581
|
34,059
|
38,077
|
39,175
|
FS2** |
n/a
|
32,248
|
36,363
|
37,707
|
Sportsman Channel |
n/a
|
n/a
|
30,255
|
31,822
|
ESPN Classic |
61,485
|
33,663
|
31,476
|
30,715
|
Fox Deportes |
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
20,599
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTES: Figures not available for nets that do not subscribe to regular Nielsen ratings, including Pac-12 Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, Fox College Sports, Longhorn Network, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, ESPN Deportes, beIN Sport, GolTV and Universal Sports. * = Formerly Speed. Several big distributors, including DirecTV, Dish Network and Time Warner Cable, do not have deals for FS1. ** = Formerly Fuel TV.