Behind the strength of Monday Night Football, ESPN won the monthly ratings race for basic cable networks during the month of October.
The network averaged 3.7 million viewers between Sept. 27 to Oct. 31 according to a Disney-ABC Television Group analysis of Nielsen data.
TBS finished second with 3.2 million viewers and USA was third with 3 million. All three networks lost viewers compared to last year’s numbers.Below are the top 10 most watched basic cable network shows in October:
Most Watched Basic Cable Network Shows In October*
1. 10/25  NFL MNF – Giants/Cowboys  ESPN  17.9 million
2. 9/27 Â NFL MNF – Packers/Bears ESPNÂ 17.4 million
3. 10/11 NFL MNF – Vikings/Jets ESPN  17.3 million
4. 10/4  NFL MNF – Patriots/Dolphins  ESPN  13.9 million
5. 10/22 MLB Playoffs – Yankees/Rangers, Gm. 6Â TBS Â Â 11.8 million
6. 10/19 MLB Playoffs – Rangers/Yankees Gm. 4 Â TBS Â Â 9.8 million
7. 10/18 NFL MNF- Titans/Jaguars   ESPN  9.6 million
8. 10/18Â MLB Playoffs- Rangers/Yankees Gm. 3Â TBSÂ 8.2 million
9. 10/15Â MLB Playoffs – Yankees/Rangers Gm. 1Â TBS Â 8.1 million
10. 10/23  NBA – Heat/Celtics  TNT  7.3 million
*Period of Sept. 27 to Oct. 31