DISNEY, NICKELODEON EACH CLAIM VICTORY OVER THE OTHER

The two major kids networks on cable, the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, each had something to boast about following the release of last week’s ratings results by Nielsen Media Research. Disney released a statement announcing that its Disney Channel was: “The #1 Network in Total Day for the 49th Consecutive Week in Kids 6-11 … and Tweens 9-14.” At the same time, Nickelodeon released its own statement noting that it was the No. 1 network among kids 2-11 and total viewers (1.6 million) in total day. But its ratings have not recovered following a steep fall last September, a situation that poses a perplexing problem for Viacom, its owner, which depends on revenue from the channel for 15 percent of its operating profit.