Not every network can be USA or FX. Here are the least-watched basic cable nets of 2016, along with their percentage change compared with prime time viewing the previous year. (Source: Nielsen)
21. Sprout
Total viewer average: 169,000
Change: 6 percent
20. MTV2
Total viewer average: 159,000
Change: -6 percent
Program pictured: “Wild ‘N Out”
19. Discovery Family Channel
Total viewer average: 148,000
Change: -7 percent
Program pictured: “Blossom”
18. Cooking Channel
Total viewer average: 145,000
Change: 16 percent
17: Esquire Network
Total viewer average: 140,000
Change: 18 percent
Show pictured: “NCIS: Los Angeles”
16. RFD
Total viewer average: 136,000
Change: 8 percent
Show pictured: “The Joey Canyon Show”
15.