Hey there! I know you were asking about USA Network and whether it‘s still an appealing channel compared to streaming services today. I‘ve put together a full overview for you digging into the channel‘s close to 50 year history and evolution. Read on to learn where USA Network stands in 2023 amidst an increasingly competitive landscape for cable channels.
In short: USA Network doesn‘t pull ratings like it did 30 years ago, but remains a stable pillar of basic cable as an entertaining mixed bag of movies, syndicated reruns, WWE wrestling, and some original programming. It offers reliable entertainment even if it lacks breakout prestige shows compared to the 1990s and early 2000s.
Below I’ve compiled key details on USA Network’s ownership history, landmark programs, viewership over the years, where you can find it on Dish Network packages today, and how it fits in amidst sister channels from corporate owner NBCUniversal.
Brief Ownership History of USA Network
Let‘s start by taking a look at USA Network‘s ownership history since 1977 launch during the early days of basic cable:
| Year | Parent Company Owner |
|---|---|
| 1977 | Kay Koplovitz launches channel under UA-Columbia Cablevision consortium |
| 1980 | Partnership with Paramount Pictures |
| 1984 | Purchased by MCA Inc. (later renamed Universal Studios) |
| 1987 | Acquired by Paramount Pictures |
| 1994 | Viacom acquires Paramount, making it parent of USA Network |
| 2004 | NBC merges with Vivendi Universal, purchases USA Network from Viacom |
| 2011 | Comcast takes control of NBCUniversal and ownership of USA Network |
So over its 45+ years, USA Network has switched ownership numerous times as larger media companies and conglomerates purchased it as an asset. It’s been under the NBCUniversal/Comcast banner since 2004, giving it close to 20 years stable ownership.
The Heydey: USA Network’s 1980s/90s Popularity
USA Network built itself into a highly popular channel in the 1980s and 1990s off unique programming choices. In the 80s the channel aired an eclectic mix of old cartoons, B-movies, and offbeat original late night shows.
Offerings like Night Flight, Up All Night, Cartoon Express, and Commander USA’s Groovie Movies built a cult following among teens and twenty-somethings happy to watch retro reruns and obscure films late into the night.
The channel began expanding into more original programming in the 1990s like mystery series Silk Stalkings and action show La Femme Nikita. Both became surprise rating hits, paving the way for more investments into originals.
Here’s a quick look at when some of USA Network’s most influential original programs launched:
| Show | Premiere Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Silk Stalkings | 1991 | Steamy crime drama about Florida investigators ran for 8 seasons |
| La Femme Nikita | 1997 | Stylish action drama about an assassin ran for 5 seasons |
| Monday Night Raw | 1993 | Long running WWE wrestling show still airs live weekly |
| Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show | 1994 | Annual dog competition showcased on USA for over 25 years |
| Monk | 2002 | Comedic detective drama starring Tony Shalhoub ran for 8 seasons |
| The Dead Zone | 2002 | Supernatural drama based on Stephen King novel ran for 6 seasons |
| Burn Notice | 2007 | Action series about blacklisted spy ran for 7 seasons |
| Suits | 2011 | Long running legal drama made stars of the cast |
| Mr. Robot | 2015 | Dark hacker drama won critical praise and fans over 4 seasons |
In the 1990s, USA Network consistently averaged over 2 million primetime viewers. This occasionally crept near 3 million viewers on standout nights. USA Network was generally a top 10-15 ranked basic cable channel throughout the entire decade.
However, viewership began declining in the early 2000s amidst rising competition from FX, TNT, and TBS original programming. USA shifted from a broad mix of programming to more focused drama and character driven procedural originals.
Let‘s take a look at how USA Network‘s average primetime viewership has declined since 2000 according to Nielsen data:
| Year | Average Viewers (Millions) |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2.1 |
| 2005 | 2.0 |
| 2010 | 1.8 |
| 2015 | 1.5 |
| 2020 | 1.0 |
| 2022 | 0.8 |
So over the last 20 years, USA Network has experienced over a 50% decline in primetime viewership. It now averages under 1 million viewers a night, dropping it out of the top 25 cable channels after once consistently ranking in the top 10.
USA Network still airs a few popular shows attracting decent audiences like WWE Raw. But it no longer has the depth of original hits or late night retro appeal that made it a cable powerhouse in decades past.
Where to Find USA Network on Dish Network in 2023
Despite declining impact, USA Network continues airing on major cable and satellite providers. Dish Network subscribers can access USA Network on channel 105 as long as you subscribe to any package above Dish’s basic America’s Top packages.
So whether you choose flexible Dish packages like:
- America’s Top 120
- America’s Top 200
- America’s Top 250
Or specialized packages like:
- DishLATINO Plus
- DishLATINO Dos
- DishLATINO Max
USA Network will be included for no extra charge beyond the base package price.
Dish Network subscribers can also access USA Network‘s live airing through the satellite provider‘s streaming app. So you can watch USA Network not only on your home television, but also on iOS and Android mobile devices either on WiFi or Dish‘s own satellite service areas.
This makes it convenient for keeping up with USA Network shows and WWE wrestling action while away from your living room TV.
USA Network’s Status Among Sister NBCUniversal Channels
USA Network inhabits an interesting place under current owners NBCUniversal and parent company Comcast. It emerged out of the media consolidation craze of the early 2000s that saw huge media and telecom conglomerates gobble up assets.
While USA Network doesn‘t pull high prestige ratings and Emmys like flagship network NBC, it still serves a purpose. USA Network brings in consistent viewership thanks to reliable WWE wrestling ratings and benefits from corporate synergy opportunities.
USA Network occasionally shares shows with SyFy channel another former cable giant. It also cross promotes content from sister premium channels like:
- E! Network – pop culture outlet
- Bravo – reality and competition shows
- Oxygen – true crime female focused programming
This relationship with NBCUniversal keeps USA Network viable as an asset. It retains decent viewership via WWE Wrestling and supplementing NBC sports coverage during Olympics or major events.
Could USA Network ever regain a semblance of its 1990s viewership glory years? The path forward looks doubtful even with corporate backing. Streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ have severely eroded mass audiences that once made basic cable lucrative.
But USA Network still serves a role for NBCUniversal’s portfolio, however minor. Its mix of familiar reruns and occasional originals appeals to underserved audiences. It may lack prestige, but brings stability.
For this reason, expect USA Network to continue appearing in Dish Network channel lineups for years to come. Subscribers flipping by can always find some familiar reruns or late night movie to enjoy as a viewing comfort food option amidst peak TV saturation.
The Bottom Line
So in summary – USA Network doesn‘t hold the appeal it did 30 years ago as a hub for cultural phenomena like Silk Stalkings or Monday Night Raw. Declining viewership figures reflect this changing place in pop culture.
However, USA Network remains a stable, long lasting basic cable channel under the NBCUniversal umbrella. For Dish Network subscribers, it‘s a reliable way to watch syndicated procedural reruns, WWE wrestling, and occasional original programming on channel 105 via any core programming package.
I hope this full overview of USA Network from its ownership history to current place in Dish Network lineups gives you insight into how it fits into the modern cable landscape! Let me know if you have any other questions.
