Welcome to our weekly snapshot of TV by the numbers, highlighting the most-watched shows and networks for August 14-20, with insights from Inscape, the currency-grade smart TV ACR data provider and data technology division of Vizio. Data is linear, live TV only and includes all episode types (new and reruns). Rankings are by percent share duration (i.e., time spent watching).

The NFL preseason is in full swing, with games capturing a 2.40% viewership share across all live, linear TV — a decrease from the previous week’s 2.56%, but still enough to ensure it stays in first place on the program ranking. Meanwhile, the 2023 Little League Baseball World Series, which runs from August 16-27, takes second place with 1.49% of watch-time.

Some additional insights about the top programming on TV:

• Likely fueled in part by yet another Trump indictment, multiple news programs have week-over-week increases in both ranking position and watch-time. Morning Joe has the largest jump, moving from No. 28 with a 0.38% viewership share previously to No. 23 (0.43%).  

• PGA Tour golf rises from seventh to fourth place (1.02%) week-over-week, while the 2023 Western & Southern Open Tennis tournament squeaks into the ranking at No. 25, capturing 0.41% of watch-time. 

• Although they maintain chart positions week-over-week, each of these programs saw slight decreases in watch-time: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NCIS, Friends and House Hunters.

Curious about which networks captured the most viewership last week? Head over to The Measure to see that ranking and get more insights.