Streaming Viewership Tops Cable and Broadcast for the First Time
Streaming viewership just beat cable and broadcast TV in the U.S. for the first time, according to Nielsen’s May 2025 report.
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Streaming Viewership Tops Cable and Broadcast for the First Time Streaming Viewership Surpasses Cable and Broadcast for the First Time In a historic shift in how Americans consume television, streaming viewership surpasses cable and broadcast TV for the first time, according to Nielsen’s May 2025 report. Streaming services accounted for a record-breaking 44.8% of total TV usage , edging out the combined viewership of cable and broadcast, which together totaled 44.2% . This moment marks a turning point in the entertainment industry, driven largely by consumer demand for flexibility, ad-free experiences, and on-demand access to content. With YouTube and Netflix leading the charge, the way people watch TV is changing—fast. Image Credits:SimpleImages / Getty Images Why Streaming Viewership Surpasses Cable Today So, what’s fueling this shift? Simply put: convenience, affordability, and content variety. Nielsen reports that streaming usage is up a massive 71% compared to May 2021 , while cable and broadcast are declining— down 39% and…