# Cable Shows Get Most Viewer Attention: TVision 2Q Study

August 17  
By Jon Lafayette  
[Originally published in Broadcasting & Cable](http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/cable-shows-get-most-viewer-attention-tvision-2q-study/167953)

The shows that attracted the most attention from their viewers were mostly on cable during the second quarter, according to a new report from research company TVision Insights.

The show gathering the most attention during the quarter was TLC’s _My Big Fat Fabulous Life_, with an attention index of 184.

The other highest rated shows on cable were A&E’s _Born This Way_, E! _’s Second Wives Club_, Animal Planet’s _Alaska: The Last Frontier: The Frozen Edge_, TBS’s _The Detour_, FX’s _The Americans_, Travel Channel’s _Expedition Unknown_; AMC’s _Preacher_, VH1’s _RuPaul’s Drag Race_ and TLC’s _Return to Amish_.

The top broadcast show, NBC’s _Running Wild With Bear Grylls_, would have finished 10th among cable networks with a 142 index.

Other top ranked broadcast shows included NBC’s _Hollywood Game Night_, ABC’s _Grey’s Anatomy_, CBS’s _Ransom_ and CBS’s _Superior Donuts_.

“Because cable includes a variety of specialty networks like TLC and A&E, their audiences tend to be more intentional about seeking them out, and thus more focused on the on-screen activity,” the TVision report said. “While broadcast boasts a much larger audience, cable programming like _My Big Fat Fabulous Life_ can be a great way for advertisers to reach a highly engaged viewership."

In terms of the broadcast networks, CBS had the highest attention index for three of the five dayparts TVision measures: 7-11 p.m., 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The top advertisers in generating attention was Prudential. “While many brands see their attention fluctuate over the course of their commercials, Prudential was best able to keep viewers' eyes on the screen throughout its ads,” said Mark Green, chief strategy officer at TVision Insights.

The top single commercial was for Lowe’s, and was titled "The Moment: Char-Broil Advantage." The other spots with the highest Creative Attention Scores were from HauteLook, Car Gurus, Sonic Drive-In and Toyota.

"Whether you’re an advertiser, media seller, or industry thought leader, you need to incorporate screen attention into your understanding of TV’s effectiveness,” Green said.

TVision Insights measures eyes-on-screen attention to every second of programming and advertising for its panel of TV viewers. The data for this report was collected from April 1 to June 30 from 7,500 people in Boston, Chicago and Dallas.