Streaming viewership surpasses cable TV for the first time in the US

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Yahoo! News

It was seemingly just a matter of time before streaming overtook at least one form of conventional TV, and now that moment has arrived. Nielsen data indicates that streaming TV viewership in the US surpassed cable for the first time this July.

About 34.8 percent of viewing time went to shows on internet services, or slightly more than the 34.4 percent for cable. Streams haven't yet overtaken traditional TV as a whole (broadcasts still represented 21.6 percent), but it's clear online video is capturing more attention.

The shift was helped by a flurry of major releases. Netflix had the largest slice of streaming time (8 percent) thanks largely to demand for Stranger Things 4.

However, Hulu also claimed a record 3.6 percent thanks to Only Murders in the Building and The Bear. Amazon Prime Video, meanwhile, thrived at 3 percent with help from The Boys' third season and The Terminal List. YouTube and YouTube TV earned a combined 7.3 percent.



Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/now/nielsen-streaming-popularity-vs-cable-164457813.html

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Heard this on the radio this afternoon. I know I'll stream CSPAN or any of the Biden pressers. I think this is obviously thanks to the proliferation of mobile although most of the smart TVs now have "apps" for streaming the above-noted services as well as those apps created by the broadcast networks and even alternate/specialized streaming services by cable.

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. What about streaming sites, like Youtube/Roko/Visio/Samsung/LG TV?

These devices are competing at top level with Cable/Broadcast providers.

[SouthernDem4ever]

4. I wish they would start giving the option of not paying for channels you don't want

So I can get rid of all the rightwing nutjob channels like Fux, Noozmax, etc I know I can block them but it makes me sick to think I am funneling money to them through my streaming rates.

[OAITW r.2.0]

9. I have a Vizio Smart TV. One interesting thing I learned.

There is a Vizio App management button, YT TV is my go to - a single right remote click....then every possible streaming platform within the YT universe can be reordered. When I click into YT TV, I see options in this order: MSNBS, PTV, BBC TCM, Sundance, SyFy, are the apps I see. Fox, OAN,Newsmax, never enter my field of vision. I'd have to click right 50 times before they would show up on the screen.

[SouthernDem4ever]

17. I have youtubetv.com and they provide the those nasty ass channels whether I want them or not

I block them on my menu but my money still pays for them.

[Polybius]

26. "YT TV is my go to"

Young Turks TV? I watch that too sometimes on Roku.

[Karma13612]

36. No, I think they mean YouTube TV. Eom

[BumRushDaShow]

5. I mentioned in the OP comments that the newer smart TVs all have those streaming apps

like Youtube's and Netflix, Hulu, Disney and Disney+, etc. built in. In fact I have an "older" (2015) Samsung smart TV that won't do some of the newest versions of those apps but will do the others and those that don't have updated versions for my TV model, I can and do stream using those same apps on my XBox One. This is all assuming I want to view it on the "big screen" (48" ) vs my laptops (13"/15" ) or tablets (7"/9" ) or phones (6" and now have a Samsung Z fold 3 that opens to a semi-tablet size ~5"x ~6" ).

There's a lot of programming, including children's programming, on Youtube and I know my grandnephews and nieces live on those little streaming shows.

[OAITW r.2.0]

11. Youtube programming for 2 YO's.....I listened to a week solid of that in early July.

Wow, how programming has changed over, say, the last 60 years....

[BumRushDaShow]

13. LOL I have seen it.

I have a grandniece who is 3 and she was glued to some Youtube kids show that my sister had running on her TV, I think Memorial Day weekend. Cable does offer channels like Sprout for that age group but with the streaming, the options have expanded exponentially.

I left off at "Yo Gabba Gabba!" on Nick Jr.

[OAITW r.2.0]

14. This is a fascinating topic.

I am sure they are getting fed a stream that everyone likes....it's popular and gets to the front of the line. It's quite brain-numbing, actually. A steady feed of pablum, happy words and images, content meaningless. Like "Baby Shark".....

[BumRushDaShow]

16. What's wilder are the kids shows run by kids (I suppose supervised by their parents)

where they have become "internet stars". (making all kinds of money from subscriptions to their channels)

[OAITW r.2.0]

18. Seen those, too!

8 YO's doing weird stuff with Parents? And they got tie-ins with commercial toy products/endorsements. Certain kids are worth multi-millions, and I bet they are clueless. But mom and dad aren't.

[Cha]

2. I don't evne have a tv..

Mahalo, BRDS!


I got rid of m$$$m in November 2002.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. I don't blame you!

I haven't had a TV in my bedroom since 1994. I just have the one in the livingroom and the older one that the LR one replaced, is in my guest bedroom and I had used it for DVDs.

[Cha]

20. Wow! I should say

I only started watching the news again in 1999.. when I came back from Kauai where I didn't watch it for 6 years.. recovering from the Big Hurricane and all in September 1992!

Now you know why I have so many posts.. Glued to DU for 20 years.. We're really lucky to have members like yourself, BRDS!!

[BumRushDaShow]

22. I agree!

DU has been the best thing since sliced bread.

And we have many here who are even willing to take it for the team and sit through the worst of Faux Snooze so they can let the rest of us know how bad it is.

[Cha]

23. Yes, Bravo & Brava to those

who take it for the Team by stomaching fox "news"!

When I came back from Kauai I watched faux fox for about 2 weeks.. I remember telling my sister that news sure had change since I came back to the Mainland.. Then I got on to what they were doing.. Dissing VP Al Gore every chance they got.. I got the Hell outta there!

[tulipsandroses]

3. Once I bought my first smart tv, 3 years ago, I ditched cable and never looked back

Before that, I had a firestick, but I barely used it. The tv just makes it an easy transition, and they are a lot more affordable. I still like live programming so my service includes streaming with live tv.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. I'm getting really close to that

although there are times when there are some movies that I want to watch and the bundling of the premium channels at a discount, have held me off for the time being.

[OAITW r.2.0]

27. Trust me...you will be blown away with the available content. Lots of esoteric channels that trade

ads for great content.

I'm ripping out approx. 2000' of BNC cabling I installed 22 years ago. Removing 3 dishes and associated junction boxes. Decided I am going with Starlink internet connection for my computing/entertainment needs. At a 100x increase on DL speeds. At the slightly less cost monthly charge (after install costs - $500.00).

What you want to watch (maybe in 4K HD) is an internet search away. If you have the bandwidth.

[thesquanderer]

7. re: "Streams haven't yet overtaken traditional TV...(broadcasts still represented 21.6 percent)..."

Is this Republican Electoral math? I thought 34.8 was more than 21.6...

[BumRushDaShow]

12. LOL

I think they are saying that because this is just a snapshot blip for one month during the summer when the broadcast networks are doing re-runs (outside of some alternate season shows that start in spring and end in fall). Otherwise the networks will pick up again in fall with their new programming....

But obviously the handwriting is on the wall (although to be fair, regular broadcast networks are extremely restricted when it comes to content vs cable and streaming).

[highplainsdem]

25. They're counting both cable and broadcast as "traditional TV."

[IronLionZion]

10. I got rid of cable tv in 2015

and cut the cord completely using Starry 5G for internet service in 2019.

While Comcast kept on increasing my rates for unimpressive service, Starry just lowered my rate. So I'm a happy customer for streaming over internet and use rabbit ears sometimes for live network tv. I have no need for cable.

If any other urban elitist liberals live in a Starry city and want to sign up: Use my referral link to get a free month, and I get a free month. https://starry.com/r/wdn7o3

[BumRushDaShow]

15. When I bought my last tv in 2015

I went on and got a decent HDTV antenna to use the broadcast option if needed (particularly if the cable was out). People forget that with the digital switchover, the broadcast channels now have multiples of themselves with different programming on each. E.g., "channel 3" here is now channel "3.1" and "3.2" and "3.3", etc., each running something unique. It's too much!

[FloridaBlues]

19. I'm new to steaming on my computer can I pause it and watch it later? Or set up shows when I want wa

There’s several streaming shows that cost money it might get pricy. At some point I will buy a smart tv. But with all the extra charges might be too expensive for me

[BumRushDaShow]

21. That's one of the benefits of streaming

where you can watch them at any time, pause, and then pick up where you left off later (or start over).

I know there are some that are limited-time "video on demand" that might not be available later (removed after a certain date) but it's a matter of looking at how they do the programming (the series are usually archived and stay around where the movies might only be available for a certain time).

[bluedigger]

24. Another benefit is no contracts or equipment to install.

I use youtubetv for live programming like sports and the news, and a few other things like netflix and amazon, because it's included with my prime fee. But all of them just bill your card, and can be cancelled whenever you want. and started right back up, too. The new thing seems to be to rotate through services, watch a show, and move on.

[OAITW r.2.0]

28. You can save programs digitally, too.

A virtual DVR if you please. Standard Equipment on YT-TV. Here's the thing. You get a service like Youtube, you getlocal broadcast channels and lots of streaming content. On your phone, tablet, laptop, PC, and your TV - if it is is connected to your WIFI. Sign in to the Youtube TV once and you are good to go, all the time.

[Skittles]

29. now streaming will keep raising rates

or keep asking you to sign up for a new "service"

[Novara]

30. I finally cut cable late last year.

I also wish I could buy a la carte. I watch so little on the more traditional channels that I'd like the option to pick and choose. Rather, I pay for a whole list of channels I don't watch in order to watch only one or two.

Fox makes any service that carries them - streaming or cable - pay use fees for all of its services. I'd rather not have any of my money going to them.

[hunter]

31. My wife and I don't see any television advertising, news, or opinion. It's nice.

We read most of our news, subscribing to several papers electronically. My computer is set up to reject advertising that moves or makes noise.

We quit "traditional television" a long time ago. The only streaming service we've consistently subscribed to is Netflix. That's now $9.99 a month. We've also got a large library of DVDs, most of them I've picked up in thrift stores.

We occasionally subscribe to other streaming services but never for long.

Cable and broadcast television (and radio too) might as well not exist for our adult children and their cousins. They stream everything. The only media services they care about are their home internet connections and cell phone plans. Some of them, living in places with unlimited 5G internet, just have cell phone plans.

[Torchlight]

32. Being a kid partially raised by Happy Days, Room 222, and Magnum P.I.

I'd have never thought anything in my lifetime would have supplanted the television. I doubt I'll ever get really comfortable using newer tech as it comes over the horizon, but I'm glad it's there.

Heck, I'm still amazed that the internet is a real thing, let alone watching reruns of the Bionic Woman is something I can do from my phone waiting in a line somewhere (I don't, but I'm gobsmacked I can).

[BumRushDaShow]

33. "Room 222"

Karen Valentine! I don't even hear her name mentioned anymore but she's still around.

[Historic NY]

34. I'm using my Roku more and more,

I've turned in one cable box and I'm about to let the other one go. Looking around, one can find various channels on several different platforms for free. Some new smart TV companies have a entire channel lineup for free.

[Karma13612]

35. Not surprised at all.

As of this moment, there is only one regular network TV show that I still watch weekly during regular TV season. And it is ending after the Fall season. Then I will be free of their nonsense. I still watch regular TV but it’s for news, cooking, learning how to forge blades (hubbie likes it and I have to admit, its fun to watch a hunk of molten metal turned into a samuri sword!!), history, and Public TV.

The networks have a habit of cancelling excellent programming in favor of an ever-increasing amount of ‘reality’ TV which begs logic. Survival, dating, cookie cutter singers, talent-less circus acts, etc. They are all pushing their own streaming services which is fine. But, if you subscribe to them all, you are inflating your ‘entertainment’ budget right thru the roof. We only have Spectrum for cable in this area so there is no competition. They are expensive even with just the basic set.

If you happen to get ‘hooked’ on a network show over on Netflix, for example, then watch all the seasons available, then discover there are MORE seasons that you suddenly need to PAY for thru Amazon(beyond the $$ Prime membership), or that are only available thru the STREAMING service from the original Network (CBS is the worst) where you need to pay a subscription. I went thru this with Criminal Minds. Don’t get me started. They don’t sell all the seasons of a specific show to one single streaming service. They pick and choose, which forces you to have to subscribe to multiple services, and pay more.

So, I have vowed to stop ‘picking up’ new network shows, period. The Networks treat the viewers like crap and they decide what we get to watch regardless of feedback from the public. So, ‘picking up shows’ works both ways.

We’ve dropped Netflix since we discovered we weren’t really watching it as much lately. Just Amazon Prime and hubbie has another subscription I believe for Britbox. I got a Peacock account very cheaply and will see if we want to renew when the time comes.

I’m old enuf to remember the days when TV (Black-n-White, thank you very much!!) was entertainment and the ads didn’t dominate everything. The Honeymooners, Red Skelton, Walter Cronkite, and the June Taylor Dancers.

[msfiddlestix]

37. What's your sreaming svc for CSPAN? Does it stream on Youtube? Roku is the streaming device for TV

I haven't figured out how to get CSPAN to stream via Roku yet. Just wondering if you have a line on this set up?

[BumRushDaShow]

38. CSPAN has agreements with various providers that they will list

and have you "login" to them to validate and after that, you can stream them at any time. I have noticed for some things, CSPAN will stream on YouTube as well.

I did see this note about it and Roku - https://cordcutting.com/how-to-watch/c-span/#:~:text=Here%27s%20the%20good%20news%3A%20You,option%20that%20includes%20C%2DSPAN (i.e., there may be apps that run on Roku that also offer CSPAN in their lineup).

Also saw this on CSPAN's FAQ - https://www.c-span.org/about/TVeverywhere/

What if I don't subscribe to cable or satellite TV?

C‑SPAN.org: You are able to use C‑SPAN.org to watch our live coverage of all federal government events. All visitors to C‑SPAN.org will have access to House and Senate debates, committee hearings, executive branch events, courts coverage, campaign events and Washington Journal — live and without needing to sign in. You will also continue to have free access to our online Video Library containing more than 277,000 hours of archived video from C‑SPAN — on demand to watch anytime, anywhere.

C‑SPAN Now: Our video app provides livestreams of the House, Senate and top political events. Additionally, you will find on-demand video of the latest events, highlights and recent episodes of Washington Journal and Q&A. All of that can be watched without a cable or satellite subscription.

So you could try just going to their website and see if it lets you view the session streams (if the Roku has a browser app, it might be do-able using that).

[msfiddlestix]

39. Thanks. I have tried in the way past, and all but gave up.. maybe things have been updated

I'll give it a go now...

[radicalleft]

40. I can't stand broadcast TV due to the number of

Commercials that I'm forced to sit through. I can tolerate the one or two that precedes an on-line stream though.

[DownriverDem]

41. Still have cable

Don't know how to have streaming on all our TVs.

[BumRushDaShow]

42. Need a smart TV

or at least have a TV that has a USB port on it that can take one of the streaming services' USB units like Amazon's Firestick or a Roku or Google's Chromecast, etc. Then those little devices will connect to your network and will have the apps that let you stream different content.

[Elessar Zappa]

43. Do you have an hdmi connection on the back of your tv?

If so, buy a Roku or Apple TV (it’s not a tv, just a small black device) and you can then download streaming apps.

[Ollie Garkie]

44. I'm surprised

This milestone wasn't reached 5 or 10 years ago?
Who the fuck still even has cable? Im also surprised the shares for Netflix and Hulu aren't higher.

[BumRushDaShow]

45. That's because when they said there was a "digital divide"

it wasn't bullshit. We found that out rather quickly during the early part of the pandemic when literally tens of thousands of households here in Philly with children had no internet connection for the children to use to do virtual learning. The same applies to the rural areas.

A year into PHLConnectED, Philly has made 18,000 internet connections


by Kristen A. Graham
Published Aug 16, 2021


A year after city officials pledged to offer free internet to 35,000 low-income families, they announced Monday they have thus far connected about 18,720, with plans to include new households through grassroots outreach. To date, 11,690 households have been connected via Comcast’s Internet Essentials program and an additional 7,030 T-Mobile hot spots were distributed, according to Philadelphia’s Office of Innovation and Technology.

The total reflects lifetime connections, not necessarily those receiving free internet at the moment. Some may have been connected, then exited the program. “We’re really proud of the work that we’ve been able to do given the pandemic,” said Otis Hackney, the city’s chief education officer.

The free connections are available to families with children enrolled in any Philadelphia school, including the Philadelphia School District, charter schools, prekindergarten programs, Catholic or private schools. Those who qualify for some form of public assistance, including free lunch, are eligible, as are families whose children are English-language learners or use require special-education services, regardless of income.

“Regardless of your school, if you are in Philadelphia, if you have a need for internet, we’re going to set you up,” said Ashley Pollard, the city’s K-12 Digital Access Program Manager. Seniors who graduated this spring or summer will have their internet access extended through Jan. 1, Pollard said. Though city schools, including the Philadelphia School District, are planning full-time, in-person learning this year, the need for reliable internet access remains for all students, Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement.

(snip)

https://www.inquirer.com/news/free-internet-students-philadelphia-comcast-digital-divide-20210816.html