Top 40 Weekly Cable Ratings: Week of 08/20/12

MAJOR CRIMES takes over where THE CLOSER ended, at the top of the cable ratings chart. Over four million viewers tuned into the freshmen spin off series last week. But, unlike recent weeks, MAJOR CRIMES is the only TNT production to break into the top 10.

USA is the dominate network of the week, placing seven programs in the top 15. The procedural drama formula USA uses has been a very successful strategy to accumulate a loyal audience. From BURN NOTICE to ROYAL PAINS to COVERT AFFAIRS, USA has the magic touch.

RANK       PROGRAM NAME                           NET  RATING
===============================================================
   1   MAJOR CRIMES                              TNT     3.5
   2   NFL PRE-SEASON FOOTBALL L                 ESPN    3.3
   3   BURN NOTICE                               USA     3.1
   4   PAWN STARS                                HIST    3.0
   5   TRUE BLOOD                                HBOM    2.9
   6   SUITS                                     USA     2.9
   7   WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW)               USA     2.8
   8   PAWN STARS                                HIST    2.8
   9   WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW)               USA     2.7
  10   WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW)               USA     2.6
  11   ROYAL PAINS                               USA     2.6
  12   PERCEPTION                                TNT     2.6
  13   WHITE COLLAR                              USA     2.6
  14   AMERICAN PICKERS                          HIST    2.5
  15   JESSIE                                    DSNY    2.5
  16   ARMY WIVES                                LIF     2.4
  17   PHINEAS AND FERB                          DSNY    2.4
  18   GRAVITY FALLS                             DSNY    2.4
  19   STORAGE WARS                              AEN     2.4
  20   COVERT AFFAIRS                            USA     2.3
  21   LOVE AND HIP HOP ATLANTA                  VH1     2.3
  22   NFL PRE-SEASON FOOTBALL L                 ESPN    2.3
  23   GOOD LUCK CHARLIE                         DSNY    2.3
  24   NCIS                                      USA     2.2
  25   KEEPING UP KARDASHIANS                    ENT     2.2
  26   REAL HSWIVES OF NJ                        BRVO    2.2
  27   FAMILY GUY                                ADSM    2.1
  28   JESSIE                                    DSNY    2.1
  29   NCIS                                      USA     2.1
  30   A.N.T.  FARM                              DSNY    2.0
  31   SPONGEBOB                                 NICK    2.0
  32   A.N.T.  FARM                              DSNY    2.0
  32   FAMILY GUY                                ADSM    2.0
  34   BIG BANG THEORY, THE                      TBSC    2.0
  35   FAMILY GUY                                ADSM    2.0
  35   LAW & ORDER: SVU                          USA     2.0
  37   FAMILY GUY                                ADSM    2.0
  38   FAMILY GUY                                ADSM    1.9
  39   LAW & ORDER: SVU                          USA     1.9
  40   A.N.T.  FARM                              DSNY    1.9

Each ratings point equals 1.147 million homes.