25 Most Valuable Networks

As the TV networks crumble, cable—with shows like Mad Men, Jersey Shore, and Burn Notice—has become the cash cow they once were. Peter Lauria ranks cable’s most valuable.

Jeff Roberson / AP Photo,Jeff Roberson

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---espn_borwfe — Signature Show: Sportscenter
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $6.9 billion
Estimated Value: $25.6 billion
Executive in Charge: George Bodenheimer
Corporate Owner: Disney
Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---nickelodeon_l1exwm — Signature Show: SpongeBob SquarePants
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $1.9 billion
Estimated Value: $17.2 billion
Executive in Charge: Marjorie Cohn
Corporate Owner: Viacom
Nickelodeon

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---tnt_xly1ok — Signature Show: The Closer
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $2.1 billion
Estimated Value: $13 billion
Executive in Charge: Michael Wright
Corporate Owner: Time Warner

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---fox-news_reaabk — Signature Show: The O’Reilly Factor
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $1.5 billion
Estimated Value: $11.4 billion
Executive in Charge: Roger Ailes
Corporate Owner: News Corp.
Kathy Willens / AP Photo

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---tbs_h4p5mu — Signature Show: Conan (debuts in November)
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $1.4 billion
Estimated Value: $9.6 billion
Executive in Charge: Michael Wright
Corporate Owner: Time Warner
TBS

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---disney-channel_lobpvy — Signature Show: Hannah Montana
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $1.2 billion
Estimated Value: $9.3 billion
Executive in Charge: Gary Marsh
Corporate Owner: Disney
Walt Disney Channel

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---usa_ximaah — Signature Show: Burn Notice
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $1.6 billion
Estimated Value: $7.7 billion
Executive in Charge: Bonnie Hammer
Corporate Owner: NBC Universal (soon to be Comcast)
USA

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---mtv_ygvlee — Signature Show: Jersey Shore
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $1.2 billion
Estimated Value: $7 billion
Executive in Charge: Tony DiSanto
Corporate Owner: Viacom
MTV

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---discovery_t9epam — Signature Show: Shark Week; Deadliest Catch
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $917 million
Estimated Value: $7 billion
Executive in Charge: John Ford
Corporate Owner: Discovery Communications
Discovery Channel

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---espn2_vfvseg — Signature Show: 1st and 10
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $981 million
Estimated Value: $6.9 billion
Executive in Charge: Scott Guglielmino
Corporate Owner: Disney

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---fx_rw6sdy — Signature Show: Sons of Anarchy
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $936 million
Estimated Value: $6.2 billion
Executive in Charge: John Landgraf
Corporate Owner: News Corp.
FX

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---cnn_vtdsaq — Signature Show: Anderson Cooper 360
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $1.2 billion
Estimated Value: $6.1 billion
Executive in Charge: TBD
Corporate Owner: Time Warner
AP Photo

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---hgtv_os7xef — Signature Show: HGTV Design Star
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $668 million
Estimated Value: $4.9 billion
Executive in Charge: Kathleen Finch
Corporate Owner: Scripps Networks Interactive

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/reality-tv-prizes---the-next-food-network-star_gg11zc — Signature Show: The Next Food Network Star
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $602 million
Estimated Value: $4.5 billion
Executive in Charge: Bob Tuschman
Corporate Owner: Scripps Networks Interactive
Food Network

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---cnbc_feqq2b — Signature Show: Squawk on the Street
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $715 million
Estimated Value: $4.4 billion
Executive in Charge: Mark Hoffman
Corporate Owner: NBC Universal (soon to be Comcast)
CNBC

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---lifetime_xmscca — Signature Show: Army Wives
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $916 million
Estimated Value: $3.7 billion
Executive in Charge: Nancy Duboc
Corporate Owners: Disney and Hearst
Lifetime

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---cartoon-network_npya0s — Signature Show: Camp Lazlo
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $617 million
Estimated Value: $3.4 billion
Executive in Charge: Stacy Isenhower
Corporate Owner: Time Warner
The Cartoon Network

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---amc_emqu6e — Signature Show: Mad Men
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $496 million
Estimated Value: $3.4 billion
Executive in Charge: Charlie Collier
Corporate Owner: Cablevision
AMC

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---abc-family_dzivbc — Signature Show: Secret Life of the American Teenager
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $598 million
Estimated Worth: $3.3 billion
Executive in Charge: Michael Riley
Corporate Owner: Disney
ABC Family

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---tlc_eeso6y — Signature Show: Kate Plus 8
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $472 million
Estimated Value: $3.3 billion
Executive in Charge: Eileen O’Neill
Corporate Owner: Discovery Communications
TLC

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---comedy-central_vpjibs — Signature Show: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $663 million
Estimated Value: $3.2 billion
Executive in Charge: Michelle Ganeless
Corporate Owner: Viacom
Comedy Central

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---bravo_x3vwze — Signature Show: Real Housewives
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $530 million
Estimated Value: $3.2 billion
Executive in Charge: Lauren Zalaznick
Corporate Owner: NBC Universal (soon to be Comcast)
Bravo

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---bet_sxgtre — Signature Show: The Wendy Williams Show
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $493 million
Estimated Value: $3.1 billion
Executive in Charge: Loretha Jones
Corporate Owner: Viacom
BET

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---history-channel_svzlrj — Signature Show: Pawn Stars
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $646 million
Estimated Value: $3 billion
Executive in Charge: Nancy Duboc
Corporate Owners: Disney and Hearst
History Channel

galleries/2010/09/29/25-most-valuable-networks/most-valuable-networks---ae_trefli — Signature Show: Intervention
Estimated 2010 Revenue: $742 million
Estimated Value: $3 billion
Executive in Charge: Abbe Raven
Corporate Owners: Disney and Hearst
A&E

TRENDING NOW