The number of scripted shows on American cable TV has more than doubled in 5 years

"Basic-cable networks now offer some 125 scripted series — that’s nearly double what was offered just five years ago. And networks that weren’t typically purveyors of original scripted fare, such as History, VH1, BET, Starz, Hallmark Channel, OWN and Sundance Channel have jumped into the space, joining the likes of USA Network, TNT, ABC Family, AMC, FX, HBO and Showtime. And viewers are watching: 59 scripted cable shows garnered 2 million or more viewers on a live-plus-seven-day basis in 2012, compared to only 16 shows in 2007, according to Nielsen. Despite this, television viewing hasn’t increased precipitously over the same period. Viewers watched an average of four hours and 53 minutes of television per day in 2012, compared to four hours and 38 minutes in 2007, according to Nielsen."
Source:  Multi Channel News, 10th June 2013