LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- NBC Universal Cable networks USA and Sci Fi closed their respective Julys with some of their best numbers to date thanks to solid performances by their original series.

The news was announced in a pair of press releases today:

USA NETWORK WAS MOST WATCHED IN JULY

Success Driven By Original Series �The 4400,� �Monk� and �The Dead Zone�

July Marks USA�s Tenth Consecutive Month of Ratings Growth

Highest Rated July Since 2000 With Double Digit Growth Over Last July

NEW YORK -� July 27, 2004 -� USA Network was July�s most watched basic cable network in primetime averaging 2.6 million viewers in 1.9 million homes. July marked the tenth consecutive month of ratings growth for USA, averaging a 2.2 in households, a 1.2 in P25-54 and a 1.1 in P18-49. With impressive improvements over the same month last year, ratings were up in households (+41%), in P25-54 (+36%) and in P18-49 (+28%), with total viewers increasing +42% and total homes up +44%. This was the highest rated July for the network since 2000.

The premiere of the record-breaking new original series �The 4400,� as well as strong performances by continuing series �Monk� and �The Dead Zone,� all played a role in USA's tremendous success this month.

On July 11, the new original series �The 4400� premiered to become the highest rated and most watched series premiere in basic cable history, averaging a 5.7 in households, a 3.8 in P25-54 and a 3.5 in P18-49, with 7.4 million viewers in 5 million homes tuning in for the event. Three weeks into the series season, �The 4400� has averaged a 4.8 in households, a 3.1 in P25-54 and a 2.7 in P18-49, with over 6.2 million viewers tuning in each week.

�Monk� is the highest rated continuing original series on basic cable and season three is shaping up to be the best season yet. This season to date, �Monk� has averaged a 3.9 in households, a 2.6 in P25-54 and a 1.9 in P18-49, with over 4.8 million viewers tuning in weekly. Season three is pacing ahead of last season by double digits: +17% in households, +22% in P25-54 and +12% in P18-49.

�The Dead Zone� is experiencing an outstanding summer season, pacing well ahead of last summer. This most recent episode was the top rated since the first season, averaging a 3.7 in households, a 2.8 in P25-54, a 2.3 in P18-49, with over 4.7 million viewers tuning in. So far this season, �The Dead Zone� has averaged a 2.5 in households, a 1.9 in P25-54, a 1.6 in P18-49, with over 3.2 million viewers tuning in weekly. Season three is pacing ahead of last season by +15% in households, +13% in P25-54 and +11% in P18-49. An additional half a million viewers are tuning in each week this season.

The network premiere of the acquired original movie �The Belly of the Beast� on Sunday became the top-rated movie on basic cable for July, as well as the top rated movie of the year on USA to date. The action flick starring Steven Segall brought in an impressive 4.0 rating in households, a 2.2 in P25-54 and a 1.7 in P18-49, with over 4.7 million viewers tuning in.

USA NETWORK
USA Network is cable television�s leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. USA Network is available in 82% of all U.S. homes and is seen in over 88 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

SCI FI CHANNEL SIZZLES WITH A RECORD-SHATTERING JULY!

Channel�s 7th Straight Month of Record Ratings

�Stargate SG-1�and �Stargate Atlantis� Set Records for Original Series Performance

NEW YORK -- July 27, 2004 -- SCI FI Channel achieved its highest-rated July ever, marking the first time the network delivered a 1.1 HH rating for the month. With double-digit increases in prime-time ratings, +10% to 1.1 HH, and viewership, +29% to 1.3 million P2+, from July 2003-SCI FI ranks 9th among all non-news, ad-supported cable networks. July 2004 also weighs in as the Channel�s seventh consecutive month of record high ratings.

The Channel soared in key demos, with more double digit-increases:

.65 rating P18-49HH, +30% vs. July 2003

.79 rating P25-54HH, +23% vs. July 2003

Also, SCI FI�s July ranked Top 10 among all measured basic cable networks in the following demos:

P25-54 (ratings #4, delivery #4)

M25-54 (ratings #4, delivery #4)

P18-49 (ratings #6, delivery #7)

M18-49 (ratings #7, delivery #7)

F25-54 (ratings #9, delivery #9)

The Channel�s Stargate franchise broke all previous SCI FI Original Series records with the 2-hour event premiere of Stargate Atlantis on July 16:

Highest-rated and most-watched premiere of any series in SCI FI history.

Highest-rated and most-watched episode of any series to air on SCI FI.

First time an episode of a SCI FI series delivered a 3.0+ HH rating.

First time an episode of a SCI FI series delivered 4 million+ viewers (P2+).

#1 cable program of the day among P18-49s and P25-54s.

More P18-49s and P25-54s than any episode of an original series in SCI FI history.

The series debut of Stargate Atlantis broke many of the records the Season 8 premiere of companion series, Stargate SG-1 set merely one week before (July 9). Marking the first time in SCI FI history a series record would be set, and broken, in two consecutive weeks.

The July 9 Season 8 premiere of Stargate SG-1 remains the:

Highest-rated and most-watched episode of Stargate SG-1 to air on SCI FI.

Most-watched single episode of Stargate SG-1 in its entire cable run.

#1 program of the day in cable among P25-54s and #2 among P18-49s.

*Note: All rankings based on primetime results and exclude Nick, as the network airs in less than 50% of the M-Su 8P-11P daypart.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Website ( <>) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 83 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.