Cable Versus The Networks: Do Viewers Care?

Increasingly, TV viewers don't even think twice about what channel a show is on. HBO's "The Sopranos" was the top-rated show in its timeslot during the program's heyday. "Monk" often outscores the networks on Friday nights from USA. And now Monday Night Football has moved from ABC to ESPN with only a minimal 15% drop in its audience. (Sunday Night Football is doing great for NBC, too.)It's gone from 15.1 million viewers to 12.9 million viewers, nothing at all when you factor in the fact that ESPN reaches about 84% of all US homes. (Who are the 16% that don't get ESPN?)In short, if a channel gets a hit, whether it's "The Osbournes" on MTV or "Desperate Housewives" on ABC, the sky's the limit, no matter where you are on the dial.