Cable's power growing as b'cast numbers wane

August 23, 2007 Ad-supported cable networks collectively are outperforming the six broadcast networks this summer in the adults 18-49 demographic by more than 2-to-1, the largest margin ever, according to Turner Research data released Wednesday. Several cable programs have set record highs this summer -- most recently exemplified by the Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical 2," which averaged 17.2 million total viewers in its premiere Friday to become the most-watched basic cable telecast ever -- while broadcast shows are slipping. Cable has seen multiple new series become hits this summer -- including TNT's "Saving Grace," USA Network's "Burn Notice" and Lifetime's "Army Wives" -- while broadcast hasn't had any new series break out on the order of CBS' "Survivor," Fox's "American Idol" or ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

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