Discovery brands reached numerous ratings milestones among core female viewership for 2020, the recently closed second quarter and the month of June, led by the top four non-news cable networks among W25-54 in Q2: HGTV (#1), Food Network (#2), TLC (#3) and ID (#4).

Discovery holds the #1 most-watched pay TV portfolio in the US among total viewers, W25-54, P25-54, W18-49 and P18-49. During highly-competitive Sunday nights, Discovery ranks as the #1 pay TV portfolio in primetime across those same demos and total viewers. TLC is leading the portfolio’s Sunday night success, ranking as the #1 network on all of TV that evening among W25-54, P25-54 and W18-49, driven by the franchise that’s taken the world by storm: 90 Day Fiancé.

Continuing its record-setting success, TLC recorded its best quarter in network history among W25-54 and P25-54 during Q2. TLC holds several #1 rankings for the second quarter of 2020, including the top network across all of TV on Sunday nights with W25-54, W18-49 and W18-34. For the quarter, TLC ranked #1 in cable primetime among P18-49, W18-49, W25-54, P18-34 and W18-34. Year to date, TLC is the #1 destination for women on cable in 2020, ranking as the top network among W25-54, W18-49 and W18-34. Ratings success was driven by hit original franchise 90 Day Fiancé, as the network held four of the top 10 cable programs among W25-54 for the quarter: 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days (#1), 90 Day Fiancé Before the 90 Days: The Other Way (#3), 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? (#4) and Sister Wives (#10).

Also of note in the quarter: for the first time ever, Discovery Inc. simulcast a special across its U.S. brands, followed by airings across global platforms in more than 200 countries and territories. The two-night special led by Oprah Winfrey, OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?, reached 25.2 million viewers since its premiere across all of Discovery’s platforms, including linear TV and social media platforms. That includes 11.1 million unique L+3 viewers in the US, 6.1 million viewers internationally, and 8 million views of the two part special on YouTube and Facebook. Resources and organizations discussed throughout the special and supported by each of the guests are available on Oprah.com/OWNSpotlight.

Additional ratings highlights for the second quarter, month of June and 2020 year to date are included below:

Q2 2020

• Among Discovery Inc.’s key demo of W25-54, the portfolio held the top four spots for non-news networks in total day cable viewing: HGTV (#1), Food Network (#2), TLC (#3) and ID (#4). In primetime, Discovery held five of the top 10 non-news cable networks in the quarter in that same demo: TLC (#1), HGTV (#4), Food Network (#5), ID (#9) and Discovery (#10).
• TLC recorded its best quarter in network history among P25-54 and W25-54. The network holds several #1 rankings for the most recent quarter, including:
  • The #1 network on all of TV on Sunday nights with P25-54, W25-54, W18-49 and W18-34.
  • The #1 most-watched non-news cable network among total viewers.
  • TLC ranked #1 in cable primetime among P18-49, W18-49, W25-54, P18-34 and W18-34.
  • The #1 cable network on Monday nights with W25-54, W18-49 and W18-34.
  • 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days ranked as the #1 cable program among W25-54. 90 Day Fiancé Before the 90 Days: The Other Way (#3), 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? (#4) and Sister Wives (#10) also ranked in the top 10 for that demo.
• HGTV was the #1 non-news cable network in total day. In primetime, HGTV was a top five network among total viewers and W25-54.
• Food Network delivered its highest second quarter primetime and total day ratings since 2012. In total day, Food Network ranked as the #2 non-news cable network among W25-54 and P25-54. Additionally, viewers spent more time with the network than ever before, watching an average of 97 minutes per week, thanks to a strong programming slate of new and returning tentpoles such as Worst Cooks in America, Buddy vs. Duff, Tournament of Champions and Spring Baking Championship.
• Several Discovery, Inc. brands recorded year-over-year growth for the quarter. In primetime, TLC (+37 per cent), DIY (+31 per cent), Cooking Channel (+22 per cent), Food Network (+7 per cent), HGTV (+3 per cent) and MotorTrend (+2 per cent) showed increases. For total day, the drivers were DIY (+53 per cent), TLC (+22 per cent), Cooking Channel (+22 per cent), Food Network (+9 per cent), MotorTrend (+9 per cent) and HGTV (+2 per cent).
• The Discovery network claimed two of cable’s top 10 unscripted series in the quarter among M25-54, with #4 Gold Rush: Parker’s Trail and #9 Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine.
• Science Channel recorded its highest-rated second quarter ever across both primetime and total day among P 25-54, W25-54, P18-49 and W18-49.
• Cooking Channel delivered its highest-rated quarter in network history among P25-54 across both primetime (+39 per cent from 2019) and total day (+39 per cent year over year). Viewers spent more time with the network than ever before, watching an average of 70 minutes per week. Ratings drivers included Good Eats: Reloaded as well as the highest-rated premieres ever for several series (Carnival Eats, Fire Masters, Food Paradise, Man v. Food, Yum and Yummer).
• DIY earned its most-watched quarter ever in primetime and total day among total viewers. It was also the network’s highest-rated quarter ever for total day and primetime among total viewers, P25-54 and P18-49.
• MotorTrend recorded its best ever Q2 for delivery during total day among total viewers.
• Travel Channel tied its highest-rated second quarter primetime among W25-54 and posted its highest-rated second quarter for total day among W25-54. 

June 2020 

• Among Discovery’s key demo of W25-54, the portfolio held the top four spots for non-news networks in total day cable viewing: HGTV (#1), TLC (#2), ID (#3) and Food Network (#4). In primetime, Discovery held five of the top 10 non-news cable networks in the quarter in that same demo: TLC (#1), HGTV (#3), Food Network (#5), ID (#7) and Discovery (#10).
• Among P25-54, Discovery, Inc. claimed five top-15 cable networks in primetime: TLC (#2), HGTV (#5), Food Network (#7), Discovery (#10) and ID (#15). In that same demo, Discovery, Inc. claimed four top-10 cable networks in total day: HGTV (#4), Food Network (#5), ID (#7) and TLC (#10).
• TLC recorded its best June ever among W25-54 and best June in 17 years among P25-54 and W18-49.
• MotorTrend recorded its best June ever for delivery during total day among P25-54, M25-54, W25-54 and P 18-49, M18-49 and W18-49.

2020 Year to Date

• HGTV is the #1 network across all of cable among W25-54 in total day.
• HGTV, ID, Food Network and TLC are the top four non-news cable networks in total day among W25-54, respectively.
• TLC is the #1 primetime cable network among W25-54, W18-49 and W18-34.
• TLC is the #1 cable network on Sunday nights among total viewers, P25-54, W25-54, W18-49, and W18-34 in 2020.
• Discovery owns more Top 10 unscripted cable series than any other network across M25-54 and M18-49.

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Tags: discovery, food network, HGTV, ID, Oprah, TLC