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61 Stats & Demographics On Cable Network Users (2023 Update)

By / Smart TVs / Last Updated: October 19, 2023

Despite the rise of Internet streaming services, many households continue to use cable networks for their entertainment and news consumption.

Here we delve into the statistics and demographics of cable network users.

Age Demographics

Age significantly impacts cable network usage.

  1. Young Adults (18-34 years): 39% of this age group have already “cut the cord” and shifted to online streaming platforms.
  2. Middle-aged Adults (35-54 years): Around 25% of this demographic had moved to streaming services, showing a mixed trend.
  3. Seniors (55 years and above): are the only generation in the US that watches cable TV in significant numbers. Among those ages 55 and older, 38% spend more time watching content on cable than on any other platform, compared with 21% of Gen Xers, 16% of millennials, and just 9% of Gen Z adults.

The data shows that younger generations are more likely to cut the cord and move to streaming platforms, with 39% of young adults aged 18-34 already having done so. Middle-aged adults show a mixed trend, with around 25% having moved to streaming services.

In contrast, seniors are the only generation that watches cable TV in significant numbers, with 38% spending more time watching content on cable than on any other platform.

It’s interesting to see how much younger this demographic profile is than the typical demographic profile of Fox News viewers.

Socioeconomic Status

Cable network usage also varies significantly based on income levels and education.

  1. Lower income households: 64% of households with an income less than $30,000 per year primarily used cable networks.
  2. Higher income households: Around 35% of households with an income above $75,000 per year had moved to streaming platforms.

Geographic Location

  1. Urban areas: Approximately 32% of urban residents had moved away from traditional cable networks.
  2. Rural areas: Only around 15% of rural residents had cut the cord, showing the dominance of cable networks in these areas due to limited internet connectivity.

These numbers highlight the importance of geographic location when it comes to cable network usage.

While urban areas have seen a significant shift towards streaming services, rural areas continue to rely heavily on cable networks due to limited internet connectivity.

Ethnicity

  1. Hispanic and African-American households: 45% of Hispanic and 38% of African-American households were still heavily reliant on cable TV.
  2. Caucasian households: Approximately 32% of Caucasian households had moved to streaming platforms.

Cable Network User Behavior

  1. News consumption: 49% of American adults still received their news from cable TV.
  2. Sports: 53% of cable subscribers kept their subscriptions specifically to watch live sports.
  3. According to a recent survey, the number of households in the US that have traditional cable TV has dropped by 7.5 million in the last five years.

Based on the data, it is clear that there is a shift in the way people consume media. More and more people are moving away from traditional cable TV and towards online streaming platforms.

This trend is particularly evident among young adults, who are more likely to cut the cord and switch to streaming services. Middle-aged adults, on the other hand, show a mixed trend, while seniors are the least likely to adopt online streaming platforms. These changes in media consumption habits are reflected in the amount of time people spend watching television versus digital media.

Cable Network Decline

Year Subscribers Lost
2020 2.8 million
2019 6 million
2018 3.5 million
2017 1.7 million
2016 1.2 million
Q4 2020 1.5 million

Other Cable Network Facts

Cable networks have been an integral part of the television industry for decades.

They have revolutionized the way people watch TV and have given viewers access to a wide range of programming options.

  1. The first cable network was launched in 1948 in the United States. The network was called “Community Antenna Television” (CATV) and was designed to provide better reception of over-the-air broadcast signals in remote areas. Over time, CATV evolved into modern-day cable networks.
  2. Cable networks are available in almost every household in the United States Today, cable networks are available in almost every household in the United States. According to a recent study, 90% of households in the United States have access to cable networks. This is a testament to the popularity of cable networks and their importance in the television industry.
  3. Cable networks generate billions of dollars in revenue each year. In 2020, the three major cable news channels (CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC) generated a total of $5.7 billion in revenue. This is a testament to the profitability of cable networks and their importance in the television industry.
  4. Cable networks are losing subscribers Despite their popularity and profitability, cable networks are losing subscribers.
    In 2020, the cable TV industry lost 2.8 million subscribers. This trend has been ongoing for several years, with the industry losing 6 million subscribers in 2019, 3.5 million in 2018, and 1.7 million in 2017. The trend is expected to continue as more people opt for streaming services.
  5. Cable networks offer a wide range of programming options, from news and sports to movies and TV shows. Some of the most popular cable networks include CNN, ESPN, HBO, and AMC. These networks offer viewers a diverse range of programming options and have helped to shape the television industry.

Here are some numbers and stats about the biggest cable TV networks:

  1. ESPN is the most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 2.5 million viewers in 2021.
  2. Fox News is the second most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 1.4 million viewers in 2021.
  3. MSNBC is the third most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 1.1 million viewers in 2021.
  4. CNN is the fourth most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 891,000 viewers in 2021.
  5. HGTV is the fifth most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 715,000 viewers in 2021.
  6. TBS is the sixth most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 642,000 viewers in 2021.
  7. TNT is the seventh most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 632,000 viewers in 2021.
  8. USA Network is the eighth most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 629,000 viewers in 2021.
  9. History Channel is the ninth most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 625,000 viewers in 2021.
  10. Food Network is the tenth most-watched cable network in the United States, with an average of 601,000 viewers in 2021.

These numbers demonstrate the popularity of cable networks and their importance in the television industry.

Sources:

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