GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Must-Know Cable Tv Viewership Statistics [Current Data]

Highlights: The Most Important Cable Tv Viewership Statistics

  • Fox News was the most-watched basic-cable channel in 2021, despite a 35% decrease in viewers from 2020 due to the end of an election year.
  • Cable TV revenue in the US decreased from 54.11 billion in 2010 to 36.75 billion in 2023.
  • In Q4 2020, there were 78.7 million cable TV subscribers in the US.
  • Cable TV viewing reached its peak in 2010, with 105 million subscribers.
  • In 2020, 77% of US adults watched traditional cable TV.
  • Fox News Channel is the most-watched cable TV network in the US, averaging 1.3 million viewers per day.
  • As of Q1 2021, ESPN was the most expensive cable channel in the US, costing providers $9.06 per subscriber.
  • There was a 20% drop in ad-supported cable TV viewership among adults 18-49 between 2016 and 2020.
  • In 2020, cable TV advertising revenue in the US reached $25.6 billion.
  • In 2019, 79% of the US and Canadian population had access to cable TV broadband services.
  • The number of cord-cutters (people who cancel their cable TV subscriptions) in the US increased by 33% from 2018 to 2021.
  • Most-watched cable television series in the US as of Q4 2020 was “Rick & Morty”, attracting an average of 2.14 million viewers.
  • In 2020, the average monthly cable TV bill for basic service in the US was $65.
  • The percentage of households with a pay-TV subscription decreased from 89% in 2010 to 65% in 2020.
  • Approximately 93.7 million US homes were watching cable television as of February 2022.
  • In Q1 2020, 21% of US adults ages 18-29 had a cable TV subscription, compared to 52% of those 65 years and older.
  • Viewership of kid-targeted cable TV channels like Disney Channel and Nickelodeon declined by almost 50% from 2010 to 2018.
  • In 2020, revenue from US TV producers, distributors and aggregators declined 3% to $68.7 billion.
  • Comcast, the largest cable TV operator in the US, had a total of 20.26 million subscribers in Q4 2021.
  • Approximately 75% of US TV viewers had a cable, satellite or fiber optic paid TV subscription in 2021.

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Cable TV viewership statistics provide a fascinating insight into how people are consuming their media. With the advent of streaming services, cord-cutting, and other digital options, cable TV viewership has been on the decline for years.

But what does the data tell us about the current state of cable TV viewership? In this blog post, we will explore the latest cable TV viewership statistics and discuss what they mean for the industry. We will also look at how cable TV viewership compares to other forms of media consumption. Finally, we will discuss what the future may hold for cable TV viewership.

Cable TV Viewership: The Most Important Statistics

The share of Americans who watch television via cable or satellite has dropped from 76% in 2015 to 56% in 2021, with 27% of U.S. adults being “cord cutters” and 17% never having had a cable or satellite subscription.
Fox News was the most-watched basic-cable channel in 2021, despite a 35% decrease in viewers from 2020 due to the end of an election year.
Fox News and MSNBC viewers differ in their evaluations of the media’s coverage of the pandemic, with 92% of MSNBC viewers saying the media covered the outbreak well, compared to 58% of Fox News viewers.

Cable TV Viewership: Statistics Overview

Cable TV is a multi-million dollar industry, dominated by a few large companies such as Comcast, AT&T, and Charter Communications, with 44% of American households wired to cable connections.

Cable TV is still a popular form of entertainment in the United States, despite the rise of streaming services. It also highlights the importance of the few large companies that dominate the industry, and the potential for them to influence the content that is available to viewers.

The share of Americans who watch television via cable or satellite has dropped from 76% in 2015 to 56% in 2021, with 27% of U.S. adults being “cord cutters” and 17% never having had a cable or satellite subscription.

This shows the shift in how people are watching television, with more people opting for online streaming services instead of cable or satellite services. This shift has important implications for the cable and satellite industry, as well as for the content providers and advertisers who rely on these services to reach their audiences.

Cable TV subscribers have decreased from 98.7 million in 2016 to 72.2 million in 2023, while the Pay TV market is expected to grow from $184.09 billion in 2022 to $209.01 billion by 2030.

It shows that while the number of cable TV subscribers has decreased, the Pay TV market is still expected to grow. Additionally, Comcast’s cable pay-TV business has lost 2 million subscribers in 2022, and 82% of US adults streaming internet TV claim it is more entertaining than cable. However, 48% of Americans are still paying for cable TV, and there are 17,144,000 subscribers for Comcast, up from Charter 15,495,00. This suggests that while cable TV viewership is declining, it is still a popular form of entertainment for many.

The cable television industry was at its peak in the early 2010s, with over 90% of US TV households being pay-TV subscribers, cable TV garnering over $10 billion in ad commitments, and an average of 189 channels available to viewers.

This shows the success of cable TV in the early 2010s, with popular scripted programs such as Mad Men and Breaking Bad, and The Walking Dead becoming the top-rated scripted program among Adults 18-49 across all of television.

Fox News was the most-watched basic-cable channel in 2021, despite a 35% decrease in viewers from 2020 due to the end of an election year.

This highlights the importance of news and sports in cable TV viewership.

G4 was the last-place cable channel this year, averaging 1,000 viewers in primetime, while beIN Sports remained in 124th place with 3,000 viewers. Pursuit Channel dropped from 117th to 125th place with 2,000 viewers.

This shows the decline in viewership for cable channels, which is indicative of the overall trend of people moving away from traditional cable TV and towards streaming services.

Cable TV revenue in the US decreased from 54.11 billion in 2010 to 36.75 billion in 2023.

This shows a decrease in revenue over the years, which could be an indication of a decrease in viewership. This could be due to the increasing popularity of streaming services, which could be taking away from cable TV viewership.

Advertising revenue channel dominated the market with a revenue share of more than 75% in 2022, due to high penetration of satellite and cable TV networks in rural households.

Advertising revenue is a major source of income for cable TV networks, and that the demand for advertisement-free content is driving consumers to subscribe to paid memberships. This indicates that cable TV networks need to focus on providing quality content and services to their viewers in order to maintain their market share.

Fox News and MSNBC viewers differ in their evaluations of the media’s coverage of the pandemic, with 92% of MSNBC viewers saying the media covered the outbreak well, compared to 58% of Fox News viewers.

Viewers of different news networks have different opinions on the media’s coverage of the pandemic. This could have implications for how viewers perceive and interpret news coverage, and how they make decisions based on that coverage.

Connected TV usage has remained high during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 1 billion hours of additional viewing time compared to pre-pandemic levels.

This speaks to the variety of content options available on connected TV, ranging from streaming apps to gaming and OTT channels, and the fact that more than 60% of the subscription video on demand (SVOD) minutes viewed are attributed to acquired content rather than original programming from the streaming companies.

Even when people have the freedom to go outside, they are still choosing to watch connected TV, which indicates that it is a popular and attractive option for viewers.

Supplementary Statistics

In Q4 2020, there were 78.7 million cable TV subscribers in the US.

Despite the emergence of streaming services, cable TV still has a large and loyal subscriber base. This is an important piece of information for anyone looking to understand the current state of cable TV viewership in the US.

Cable TV viewing reached its peak in 2010, with 105 million subscribers.

It is an important piece of data to consider when discussing Cable TV viewership statistics, as it provides a snapshot of the peak of Cable TV’s popularity.

In 2020, 77% of US adults watched traditional cable TV.

Despite the emergence of streaming services, cable TV still holds a significant portion of the viewership market. This is an important point to consider when discussing cable TV viewership statistics.

Fox News Channel is the most-watched cable TV network in the US, averaging 1.3 million viewers per day.

The network is a major player in the cable TV landscape, with an impressive daily viewership that is unmatched by any other cable TV network. This statistic is an important indicator of the popularity of Fox News Channel and its ability to draw in viewers.

As of Q1 2021, ESPN was the most expensive cable channel in the US, costing providers $9.06 per subscriber.

It speaks to the fact that ESPN is seen as a must-have for cable subscribers, and that providers are willing to pay a premium for it. This is especially relevant in the context of cable TV viewership statistics, as it shows that ESPN is a major player in the cable TV landscape.

There was a 20% drop in ad-supported cable TV viewership among adults 18-49 between 2016 and 2020.

Ad-supported cable TV viewership among adults 18-49 has significantly declined over the past four years, suggesting that viewers are increasingly turning to other forms of entertainment. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing cable TV viewership statistics, as it provides insight into the current state of the industry.

In 2020, cable TV advertising revenue in the US reached $25.6 billion.

Despite the rise of streaming services, cable TV advertising revenue in the US has remained strong, demonstrating that cable TV is still a viable platform for advertisers to reach their target audiences.

In 2019, 79% of the US and Canadian population had access to cable TV broadband services.

The majority of the population has access to these services, which is an important factor in understanding cable TV viewership statistics.

The number of cord-cutters (people who cancel their cable TV subscriptions) in the US increased by 33% from 2018 to 2021.

More and more people are choosing to forgo traditional cable TV subscriptions in favor of streaming services and other alternatives. This shift in viewership habits has implications for the cable TV industry, as well as for the content creators and advertisers who rely on cable TV viewership. As such, this statistic is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding the current state of cable TV viewership.

Most-watched cable television series in the US as of Q4 2020 was “Rick & Morty”, attracting an average of 2.14 million viewers.

It highlights the show’s success in captivating audiences and demonstrates its dominance in the cable television landscape. This statistic is an important piece of information for any blog post about cable television viewership statistics, as it provides a clear indication of the show’s success and its impact on the industry.

In 2020, the average monthly cable TV bill for basic service in the US was $65.

This provides insight into the affordability of cable TV, and how much people are willing to pay for it. This can help to explain why certain cable TV viewership numbers may be higher or lower than expected.

The percentage of households with a pay-TV subscription decreased from 89% in 2010 to 65% in 2020.

The number of households with a pay-TV subscription has decreased significantly over the past decade, indicating that more and more people are turning away from traditional cable TV services and towards other forms of entertainment. This shift in viewership is an important factor to consider when discussing cable TV viewership statistics.

Approximately 93.7 million US homes were watching cable television as of February 2022.

Despite the rise of streaming services, cable television remains a major source of entertainment for millions of households. This statistic is a testament to the staying power of cable television and its ability to remain relevant in an ever-changing media landscape.

In Q1 2020, 21% of US adults ages 18-29 had a cable TV subscription, compared to 52% of those 65 years and older.

Younger adults are far less likely to have a cable TV subscription than their older counterparts, suggesting that cable TV is becoming increasingly irrelevant to younger generations. This is an important insight for anyone looking to understand the current state of cable TV viewership.

Viewership of kid-targeted cable TV channels like Disney Channel and Nickelodeon declined by almost 50% from 2010 to 2018.

Cable TV channels that were once popular among kids have seen a dramatic decrease in viewership over the past eight years. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing the current state of cable TV viewership, as it shows that the traditional model of cable TV is no longer as attractive to viewers as it once was.

In 2020, revenue from US TV producers, distributors and aggregators declined 3% to $68.7 billion.

Despite the surge in viewership due to people staying at home, the industry has still suffered a decline in revenue. This is an important insight into the current state of the industry and how it is being affected by the pandemic.

Comcast, the largest cable TV operator in the US, had a total of 20.26 million subscribers in Q4 2021.

This statistic is a valuable insight into the current state of cable TV viewership in the US and can be used to inform decisions about the future of the industry.

Approximately 75% of US TV viewers had a cable, satellite or fiber optic paid TV subscription in 2021.

Knowing this, is important for anyone looking to understand the current trends in television viewership and the impact of streaming services on the industry. It also provides valuable insight into the future of cable TV and how it will continue to compete with streaming services.

In 2019, 15% of US households subscribed to a virtual multichannel video programming distributor (vMVPD) service as an alternative to traditional cable TV.

More and more households are turning to virtual multichannel video programming distributors (vMVPDs) as an alternative to traditional cable TV. This shift in viewership is likely to have a significant impact on the cable TV industry, and is something that should be taken into account when discussing cable TV viewership statistics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cable TV viewership statistics show that cable TV is still a popular medium for watching television. Despite the rise of streaming services, cable TV remains a viable option for many viewers. Cable TV providers continue to offer a variety of content and services to meet the needs of their customers.

As the industry continues to evolve, cable TV viewership statistics will provide a valuable insight into the preferences and habits of viewers.

References

1 – https://www.statista.com/topics/3359/cable-tv/

2 – https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/03/17/cable-and-satellite-tv-use-has-dropped-dramatically-in-the-u-s-since-2015/

3 – https://techjury.net/blog/cable-tv-subscribers-statistics/

4 – https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradadgate/2020/11/02/the-rise-and-fall-of-cable-television/?sh=4cbf546f6b31

5 – https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/124-cable-channels-ranked-average-193000903.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

6 – https://www.indiewire.com/2022/12/cable-channels-ranked-2022-1234792794/

7 – https://www.statista.com/statistics/815949/cable-tv-revenue-usa/

8 – https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/broadcasting-and-cable-tv-market

9 – https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2020/04/01/cable-tv-and-covid-19-how-americans-perceive-the-outbreak-and-view-media-coverage-differ-by-main-news-source/

10 – https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2020/connected-tv-usage-remains-above-pre-covid-19-levels-as-traditional-tv-viewing-normalizes/a

11 – https://www.businessinsider.com

12 – https://www.ihs.com

13 – https://www.bloomberg.com

14 – https://www.emarketer.com

15 – https://www.parksassociates.com

16 – https://www.statista.com

17 – https://www.ncta.com

18 – https://badgermapping.com

19 – https://www.marketingcharts.com

20 – https://variety.com

FAQs

What is cable TV viewership?

Cable TV viewership is the number of people who watch television programming through a cable provider.

How does cable TV viewership work?

Cable TV viewership works by allowing viewers to access television programming through a cable provider, such as a satellite or cable company. The cable provider transmits the programming to the viewer's home via cable lines.

What are the benefits of cable TV viewership?

The benefits of cable TV viewership include access to a wide variety of programming, including live sports, news, and movies, as well as the ability to access on-demand programming and record programming for later viewing.

How is cable TV viewership measured?

Cable TV viewership is typically measured by Nielsen ratings, which measure the number of people who watch a particular program or channel.

What are the risks associated with cable TV viewership?

The risks associated with cable TV viewership include the potential for increased costs, as well as the potential for viewers to be exposed to inappropriate content. Additionally, cable TV viewers may be subject to data caps, which can limit the amount of data they can use.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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