NFL Network used several strong game audiences in the final weeks of the '18 to move up the annual chart of top cable networks in primetime. Going into December, NFL Network ranked fifth of all cable sports channels in primetime. The league-owned net had a strong draw in Week 15 with Chargers-Chiefs, as it was the simulcast partner for Fox on that "TNF" game. NFL Net also had two exclusive primetime Saturday games in Week 15 and 16, respectively. Those matchups helped move NFL Net up to No. 3 for the year in primetime behind only ESPN and NBCSN. NFL Net was just ahead of FS1 and ESPN2. In total-day viewership for '18, ESPN2 was trailing FS1 heading into December, but jumped ahead to finish third behind ESPN and NBCSN. The year-end figures are notable in that it is the first time since its '93 launch that ESPN2 has not finished second. It also illustrates the ratings dominance of ESPN among sports channels. ESPN finished first in primetime and total day and was never seriously challenged by any of the other sports channels, all of whom were fighting for second place. Among all cable networks, including non-sports channels, ESPN was No. 2 in primetime, behind only Fox News. For total day, ESPN was No. 4, behind only Fox News, MSNBC and Nickelodeon.
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TOP FIVE SPORTS CABLE NETS IN PRIMETIME FOR '18
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NETWORK
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VIEWERS (000)
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ESPN
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1,929
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NBCSN
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400
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NFL Net
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332
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FS1
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329
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ESPN2
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325
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TOP FIVE SPORTS CABLE NETS IN TOTAL-DAY FOR '18
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NETWORK
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VIEWERS (000)
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ESPN
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760
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NBCSN
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187
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ESPN2
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174
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FS1
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169
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NFL Net
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150
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