‘Tis the season for record cable ratings.
With the broadcast networks largely in repeat mode, cable is still serving up plenty of first-run unscripted fare. And it seems viewers are surfing around and tuning in to those shows, which they might otherwise record on their DVRs or skip altogether.
E! Entertainment Television had its best ratings ever Sunday with an episode of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." And now, Oxygen (its soon to be sibling) says audiences flocked to Tuesday’s fourth episode of the new season of "Bad Girls Club" in a record manner.
Around 1.1 million adults 18-49 and 1.68 million total viewers watch the show, giving Oxygen its most-watch telecast ever in both categories, according to Nielsen fast national data. Week-to-week, "Bad Girls" was up 18 percent in overall viewers and 8 percent in adults 18-34.
Other cable shows generating heat this December include MTV’s "Jersey Shore," which started soft but has been adding viewers as buzz builds. A&E has also seen great numbers for its "Hoarders" franchise.
Meanwhile, speaking of A&E, the network today issued its annual end-of-year ratings report card touting growth. Basic bullet points: Six consecutive years of ratings gains in demos, a rise to No.5 in overall viewership among basic cable channels and an 8 percent year-to-year gain in total viewers.
