Most-watched summer ever; 'Royal Pains' tops list

Though you wouldn't know it from following broadcast network ratings, summer TV viewing is at an all-time high.

According to a Turner research report, the average person watched a whopping 32.2 hours of TV per week this summer. In 2004, the average number of TV hours viewed during the summer was 29.8.

The gains were driven by cable TV programming, which continues to erode the traditional advantage of the Big Four networks.

Among new series on ad-supported cable, the most-watched programs were USA's "Royal Pains" (averaging 7.2 million viewers), SyFy's "Warehouse 13" (4 million), TNT's "Hawthorne" (3.9 million), TNT's "Dark Blue" (3.4 million) and Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" (3 million.)

Among returning shows, the most-watched were TNT's "The Closer" (7.9 million), USA's "Burn Notice" (7.7 million), USA's "Monk" (5.6 million), USA's "In Plain Sight" (5.1 million) and USA's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (4.6 million).

Turner research head Jack Wakshlag said cable networks programming more original content than ever combined with the digital transition helped boost the number.

"This is an unusual summer because what you have here is the full brunt of the digital transition," he said. 

Among major cable networks, some of the biggest ratings gainers in primetime include USA (+19%), Fox News (+37%), Food Network (+33%), TLC (+52%), BET (+34%), MSNBC (+16%), HLN (+18%) and E! (+18%). While some of the steepest declines were seen by Lifetime (-21%), Cartoon Network (-19%), Hallmark (-24%), Spike TV (-21%) and TVLand (-25%). 

Here are several Top 10 lists listing the most popular cable networks and shows this summer:

Ad-Supported Cable’s Top 10 New Original Series among Viewers

1.  Royal Pains (USA)                                      7,151,000    
2.  Warehouse 13 (SyFy)                                         3,967,000
3.  HawthoRNe* (TNT)                                               3,893,000
4.  Dark Blue (TNT)                                                 3,398,000
5.  Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime)                                    3,047,000

6.  Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns (TBS)                    2,911,000
7.  Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo)                2,773,000
8.  Cake Boss (TLC)                                               2,297,000
9.  Make It or Break It (ABC Family)                        2,229,000
10. Pawn Star$ (History Channel)                             2,178,000

Ad-Supported Cable’s Top 10 Returning Original Series among Viewers

1.  The Closer (TNT)                                                7,852,000
2.  Burn Notice (USA)                                              7,677,000
3.  Monk (USA)                                                       5,556,000
4.  In Plain Sight (USA)                                           5,109,000
5.  Law & Order: Criminal Intent (USA)                      4,591,000
6.  Psych (USA)                                                      4,467,000
8.  Deadliest Catch (Discovery)                                4,316,000
7.  Army Wives (Lifetime)                                         4,280,000
9.  Leverage (TNT)                                                   4,125,000
10. The Next Food Network Star (Food Network)        3,692,000

Top 10 Ad-Supported Cable Networks among Viewers -- Primetime
1. USA                     3,571,000
2. TNT                         2,435,000
3.  Fox News                2,157,000
4.  Nick at Nite             1,780,000
5.  TBS                        1,592,000
6.  ESPN                     1,410,000
7.  ABC Family             1,400,000
8.  Discovery                1,353,000
9.  FX                           1,318,000
10. HGTV                     1,265,000
 
Top 10 Ad-Supported Cable Networks among Viewers -- Total Day
1.  Nickelodeon             2,274,000
2.  Nick at Nite             1,606,000
3.  USA                        1,558,000
4.  TNT                         1,304,000
5.  Adult Swim              1,194,000
6.  Fox News                1,154,000
7.  Cartoon Network       1,051,000
8.  TBS                        878,000
9.  ESPN                     764,000
10. Discovery                754,000

Ad-Supported Cable’s Top Original Series in Time-Shifted Growth among Viewers
1.  Top Chef Masters (Bravo)                              +69% when comparing Live to Live + 7 delivery
2.  Tori & Dean: Home (Oxygen)                        +66%
3.  Rescue Me (FX)                                           +63%
4.  Eureka (SyFy)                                                +60%
5.  Psych (USA)                                                +53%
6.  10 Things I Hate About You (ABC Family)      +52%
6.  Leverage (TNT)                                             +52%
8.  In Plain Sight (USA)                                     +49%
9.  Deadliest Catch (Discovery)                          +47%
10. Burn Notice (USA)                                       +46%
10. Warehouse 13 (SyFy)                                  +46%