TV news: Record year for Cable TV networks

Last year was a record year for viewership of cable TV networks. The year-end US Nielsen reports, just released, show that cable viewership reached a new high last year, and now averages 17.2 hours per week. This happened in spite of the growth in on-demand viewing.  The increase in viewership is attributed to compelling programming that keeps boosting audiences.

Tastes have clearly leaned in the direction of horror, paranormal and sci-fi programming, but some reality shows broke records last year.

TBS came out in the top spot, while AMC hit a record high with The Walking Dead, and Breaking Bad.  Also in the most-viewed networks were USA, ESPN and Disney Channel.

So what’s new for 2014? Plenty. Here is a small selection:

Outdoor Channel is launching six new series between now and the end of March. Fishing fanatics may want to check out two new shows premiering this month:

• Modern Fishing with Jared Jeffries – Sundays at 4:30pm:

Former NBA player Jared Jeffries has a passion for saltwater fishing. In each episode of of this new series, he will visit exotic destinations and share angling tips and techniques.

• The Hunt for Big Fish with Larry Dahlberg – Fridays at 8:30pm:

Top angler Dahlberg visits rarely-seen corners of the globe, obsessed with landing the big one. Each episode also features a workshop segment in which he shares techniques for do-it-yourself tackle-making.

• Sole Survivor – Thursday, January 9 at 10pm on CNN; Re-airs on Sunday January 12 at 10pm:

In the entire history of commercial aviation, there have been only 14 plane crashes with a sole survivor. Tune in to CNN tomorrow night and watch incredible real-life stories about some of them and what it feels like to beat the odds. Most are dealing with tremendous guilt that many people find incomprehensible. These survivors had never met each other, until this show. 

• The Imposter – January 23, at 10pm on CNN:

CNN just launched a new Documentary film brand: CNN Films Presents.  

This British-American co-production is about the story of a Frenchman who assumes the identity of a Texas child who disappeared in 1994.  The film was chosen as the 2012 Best Documentary by the British Independent Film Awards.

• Helix – New series - Premieres Friday, January 10 at 11pm on Syfy:

This show has been described as “a disturbing horror/sci-fi series...that puts the science back in science fiction. 

It follows a team of epidemiologists investigating a virus outbreak at a corporate lab in the Arctic that appears to be very shady. 

Things get complicated when they learn the virus appears to be making its hosts stronger and crazier, as well as occasionally melting their flesh off. Edgy, different...the show plays straight into the new taste for horror that has been gripping TV for a while now.

• Sherlock Premieres Sunday, January 19 at 11pm on PBS:

This is an update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved detective series, Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, who rose to fame in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Star Trek: Into Darkness. Martin Freeman plays the role of Watson. 

Written primarily by Steven Moffat, of Doctor Who fame, the series promises to deliver flashy intrigue and impressive performances by Cumberbatch, Freeman and Andrew Scott, who steals the show at times with his sinister take on Professor Moriarty, Holmes’ archrival.

• Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne — Premieres Monday, January 13, at 11pm on A&E:

Andrew Mayne is one very talented magician. In fact, they call him a “next generation illusionist,” and he is said to be one of the most prolific magic creators of the past decade. With more than 400 tricks in his repertoire, and thousands of YouTube hits, he is also author of a dozen science-fiction/fantasy books.