Food Network's Hot Summer: Surging Viewership and Exciting Shows

 

Traditionally good during the fall and holiday television season, Food Network is still hot this summer. 

 From  May 27 through Memorial Day and July 20, Food Network content totaled more than 50.6 million  viewers across  linear television network and streamers Warner Bros. Discovery of Max and Discovery+. 

 The surge in viewership coincides with the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in Hollywood, with work stoppages impacting scripted shows that aren't the bread and butter of the Food Network.

 Looking at linear channels only, Food Network is one of the top five cable channels outside of sports and news, behind Nick at Nite, by total daily viewership for adults 25-54 years old and women 25-54 years old TNT, USA. Networks and TBS. 

 Food Network currently averages 113,000 viewers per demo between the ages of 25 and 54, according to data from Nielsen Live + 3 Days. Additionally, Food Network reported that the average weekly time spent in prime time increased 4% year-over-year for 25-54 year olds and 6% for all viewers. 

 Sunday primetime "The Great Food Truck Race" with over 8.9 million  viewers on Food Network, Max and Discovery+.On a linear basis, the season  currently has an average rating of 0.8L+3 for all viewers and  1.05 for females 18+. in the first two weeks of the new season (on Network/Max/discovery+), while Tuesday's "Supermarket Stakeout" drew over 11.4 million viewers, up 11 minutes from the previous season.

 Other shows drawing more  viewers than usual on Food Network this summer include Guy's Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Outchef'd, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, The Kitchen and Girl Meets the Farm. 

 To wrap up the summer, Food Network is hosting new seasons of America's Worst Chefs on August 6th and Bobby's Triple Threat on August 22nd. 

 "If you look at the Food Network this summer, where more than half a dozen shows are running in prime time and their airtime is being increased, they have good momentum going into the fall and holiday season," said Warner Bros. .Marybeth Strobel, Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales at Discovery. "That's good  because the station traditionally sees audience growth in the third and fourth quarters."