US cable channels are beating traditional network broadcast channels for viewers. “As August draws to a close, early projections released Wednesday by Turner Entertainment Group showed the 60-plus cable networks enjoyed a record 18-point lead in summer audience share over the seven broadcasters. Despite more first-run programing on the Big Four broadcast networks than ever before this summer, the absence of a megahit such as ‘Survivor’ or ‘American Idol’ kept broadcasters collectively from posting year-to-year gains during the summer months.”