Well, this could be what finally kills cable TV (2024)

FAQs

Will cable TV soon be obsolete? ›

Now, about five million people abandon cable TV every year — leaving about 75 million Americans in the traditional TV ecosystem, according to analyst estimates. Most analysts believe that 40 million to 60 million Americans will continue to subscribe to some form of traditional cable in the years to come.

Every year more people decide to ditch their cable or satellite TV providers, choosing to get all their TV entertainment and news from live TV streaming services. The growing number of choices, though, has made picking the right services more complex. This guide boils down the options.

No, a streaming device uses a signal from the internet to play your movies and TV shows.

According to a study done by Survey Monkey, “60% of those that use both cable or satellite AND streaming services say they're thinking of dumping cable/satellite in the next 12 months.” Even with compelling service bundles created by cable companies like Spectrum or Time Warner, customers are "cutting the cord" and ...

If you go all-in with free streaming channels, like The Roku Channel and Tubi, you could save $1300+ each year. Roku users save an average of over $70 each month over cable according to a recent survey. It's easy to start saving without the monthly equipment fees, taxes, and hidden fees that often come with cable.

With this being said, cable often has a higher base cost than a single streaming service and it usually requires long-term contracts.

What equipment do I need to cut the cord? All you need is a high-speed internet connection, a streaming device, and streaming channels.

For those wondering how to watch TV without cable, smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV provide the answer. These devices connect to your TV and internet, transforming a television into a smart device capable of accessing a wide range of streaming services.

The best way to scrimp on cable TV rates is to look for the basic or starter package your local service provider offers. You could also try to reduce your premium channels and extra equipment. If you need more than one service, it helps to look for deeply discounted bundled offers. Should I choose a contract-free plan?

Long story short, you no longer need a cable subscription to watch your favorite shows and movies on a smart TV. There are many options available if you're looking to rely solely on streaming. However, you'll want to make sure to weigh your options before “cutting the cord.”

Why do people still pay for cable? ›

Watching live sports on cable was the main reason that has kept Americans from getting rid of cable as of 2022, according to 19.5 percent of respondents to a survey. Second common factor was watching live entertainment events, such as the award shows, with around 11.7 percent of people interviewed.

More than 5 million subscribers dropped out of the pay TV ecosystem last year compared to about 4.6 million subscribers who departed in 2022. Meanwhile, average cable viewership has dropped from 38% of all U.S. households to 28%, according to Nielsen's The Gauge report.

In Nielsen's June 2024 Gauge report, cable totaled a 27.2% share of TV usage, the lowest to date. In June 2023, cable's share had been 30.6% and in June 2021 cable's share numbered 40.1%. Among the reasons most often cited for cost cutting include cost and alternative viewing sources such as streaming.

More than 5 million subscribers dropped out of the pay TV ecosystem last year compared to about 4.6 million subscribers who departed in 2022. Meanwhile, average cable viewership has dropped from 38% of all U.S. households to 28%, according to Nielsen's The Gauge report.

Rising cable costs and the thousands of options for shows and movies on various streaming services have been key factors in the popularity of cord-cutting. As long as streaming subscriptions are more affordable than cable for the average household, it makes sense to move away from cable.

Obviously, cable television isn't going to die overnight. In fact, it's very likely to linger for a long while, perhaps decades. But increasingly, it will be much like the way AOL still has dial-up subscribers.