Streaming Surpasses Cable & Broadcast TV
- For the first time, streaming services have captured more total TV viewership than both cable and broadcast television combined.
- Cable represented 24.1% of viewership, while broadcast held 20.1%.
- Over the past four years, streaming viewership has surged by 71%.
Streaming services have officially overtaken cable and broadcast TV! Nielsen’s data reveals a significant shift: streaming now commands 44.8% of total TV viewership. Cable and broadcast lag behind, holding 24.1% and 20.1% respectively. This marks a pivotal moment for the television industry. Over the last four years, streaming viewership has exploded, while customary broadcast and cable have declined considerably.News Directory 3 keeps you informed of these market transformations.discover how services like Netflix and even free platforms like YouTube are reshaping viewing habits and influencing industry strategies. The “netflix Effect” highlights how licensed content thrives on the platform. With investment in original content and new distribution, the competition for viewers will intensify. Discover what’s next in the evolving world of television.
Streaming TV Surpasses Cable, Broadcast Viewership for First Time
For the first time, streaming services have captured more total TV viewership than both cable and broadcast television combined. Nielsen reported that streaming accounted for 44.8% of total TV consumption in May.
Cable represented 24.1% of viewership, while broadcast held 20.1%. This milestone, tracked by Nielsen’s “The Gauge” as May 2021, reflects a growing trend.
Over the past four years, streaming viewership has surged by 71%. In contrast, broadcast has declined by 21%, and cable has fallen by 39%.
Nielsen CEO Karthik Rao noted in a release that this shift coincides with the fourth anniversary of “The Gauge,” which he called the “gold standard” for measuring streaming TV. He added that media companies have successfully adapted their programming strategies to meet viewers on streaming and linear platforms.
While the initial report included Netflix, hulu, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+, the report now tracks 11 platforms.
netflix remains the top streaming video-on-demand service, a position it has held for four years, according to Nielsen. The firm has even coined the term “Netflix Effect” to describe how licensed content gains popularity after appearing on the platform.
One example is the show “You,” which originally aired on Lifetime before moving to netflix. It amassed four billion viewing minutes and became Nielsen’s first example of the “Netflix Effect” in 2018.
Free services like YouTube are also gaining traction, with a 120% increase in viewership as 2021.
Nielsen also highlighted the success of simulcasts, such as Super Bowl LIX, which aired on both FOX and Tubi. The firm anticipates this trend will continue through the summer until the return of football in the fall broadcast season.
Looking ahead, the battle for viewers will likely intensify as streaming services continue to invest in original content and explore new distribution strategies. The rise of free,ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services like YouTube and Tubi could further disrupt the customary television landscape.