Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by the Nielsen Co. for the week of May 17-23. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses:
1. NBA Playoffs: L.A. Lakers vs. Phoenix (Sunday, 8:34 p.m.), TNT, 5.78 million homes, 8.46 million viewers.
2. NBA Playoffs: Boston vs. Orlando (Tuesday, 8:29 p.m.), ESPN, 5.32 million homes, 7.15 million viewers.
3. NBA Playoffs: Phoenix vs. L.A. Lakers (Wednesday, 9 p.m.), TNT, 5.07 million homes, 7 million viewers.
4. NBA Playoffs: Phoenix vs. L.A. Lakers (Monday, 9 p.m.), TNT, 5.01 million homes, 7.11 million viewers.
5. NBA Playoffs: Orlando vs. Boston (Saturday, 8:29 p.m.), ESPN, 4.24 million homes, 6.02 million viewers.
6. "WWE Raw" (Monday, 10 p.m.), USA, 3.48 million homes, 4.95 million viewers.
7. "WWE Raw" (Monday, 9 p.m.), USA, 3.35 million homes, 4.86 million viewers.
8. "SpongeBob SquarePants" (Saturday, 9:30 a.m.), Nickelodeon, 3.02 million homes, 4.02 million viewers.
9. "SpongeBob SquarePants" (Sunday, 9:30 a.m.), Nickelodeon, 2.96 million homes, 3.89 million viewers.
10. "SpongeBob SquarePants" (Saturday, 9 a.m.), Nickelodeon, 2.85 million homes, 3.68 million viewers.
11. "Penguins of Madagascar" (Saturday, 10 a.m.), Nickelodeon, 2.75 million homes, 3.63 million viewers.
12. "NCIS" (Friday, 9 p.m.), USA, 2.71 million homes, 3.66 million viewers.
13. "NCIS" (Wednesday, 8 p.m.), USA, 2.7 million homes, 3.43 million viewers.
14. Movie: "SpongeBob: The Movie" (Friday, 5 p.m.), Nickelodeon, 2.65 million homes, 3.87 million viewers.
15. "NCIS" (Saturday, 9 p.m.), USA, 2.64 million homes, 3.47 million viewers.
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ESPN is owned by the Walt Disney Co. Nickelodeon is owned by Viacom Inc. USA is owned by General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal. TNT is owned by Time Warner Inc.
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Online:
http://www.nielsenmedia.com
Copyright 2010  AP News
