Cable channel TNT beat broadcast network UPN in primetime during the May ratings sweep.

It is only the second time in American TV ratings history that a cable channel has beaten a broadcast network during primetime. In 1997, TNT beat start-up network The WB. The situation here is much different, with UPN hardly qualifying for start-up status given its 1995 launch.

TNT recently launched TNT-HD, a high definition version of its broadcasts. The channel shows programmes in 1080i HD when available, and upconverts existing 4:3-only programmes to 1080i and 16:9.