Are most people getting rid of cable?

Yes, many people are getting rid of cable in favor of streaming, with cable subscriptions declining significantly as younger generations embrace streaming-first, though some older adults and those frustrated with rising streaming costs are reconsidering, creating a complex shift in the TV landscape. While millions have cut the cord, streaming services themselves now face price hikes, leading some back to cable or a mix of both.

Are a lot of people canceling cable?

Cord Cutting: More Than Half of Americans Cut Cable or Streaming Services in 2025 Due to Rising Costs. All About Cookies surveyed 1,000 people to see how many have cut the cord on traditional TV services, the streaming services they use instead, and more.

Why are people getting rid of cable TV?

Consumers are no longer willing to pay for a plethora of channels that they don't watch. This antiquated cable model has become usurped by streaming options of getting only what you want to watch, and even those consumers that are still with cable are requesting more targeted, smaller bundles.

Is cable on the decline?

Yes, cable TV is in a steep and rapid decline, with subscription numbers falling sharply from their peak in the 2000s, driven by cord-cutting and the rise of streaming services that now dominate viewership, especially among younger generations, signaling a major shift in how people consume video content. While still a profitable business and a significant part of viewership, cable's share is shrinking, leading to financial write-downs for media companies as attention shifts to platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok. 

Are people moving away from cable?

There are early indications consumers are responding. In the second quarter of this year, Spectrum reported a loss of 80,000 cable customers due to cord-cutting, a significant decline from the same period in 2024, when 408,000 homes ditched cable.

Canceling Cable and Keeping Internet Service? Avoid This Mistake!

Is there any reason to keep cable TV?

Watching live sports on cable was the main reason that has kept Americans paying for cable TV as of February 2024, according to 27 percent of respondents to a survey. The second common factor was that cable TV remained a comfortable viewing solution for respondents in the country.

Who has higher ratings, CNN or Fox?

Fox News consistently has significantly more viewers than CNN, often leading all of cable news in total day and primetime viewership, especially in key demographics like Adults 25-54, though MSNBC sometimes competes closely or even surpasses them during major news events like elections. For instance, in late 2025, Fox News averaged around 1.7 million total day viewers to CNN's ~430,000, securing a dominant share of the audience. 

Do you still need cable if you have a smart TV?

No, you don't need traditional cable for a smart TV; you can cut the cord and rely on an internet connection for streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube, but you'll need that internet (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) for smart features, and you might still use a coaxial cable or an antenna for free over-the-air local channels if you want them. A smart TV's core function is internet-based, so you need internet for apps, but it can still use traditional inputs for other sources like a DVD player or older cable box. 

What is the #1 news channel in the USA?

Fox News Channel (FNC) is consistently the #1 news channel in the U.S. by viewership, leading in total viewers and often outperforming broadcast networks in cable news ratings for years, though ABC's "World News Tonight" can lead in nightly broadcast newscasts, according to Nielsen data from late 2024/2025 reports, with FNC dominating cable for over two decades, attracting the largest audiences for primetime and total day coverage, especially during major news events. 

Do I really need cable TV anymore?

You might replace cable by subscribing to a handful of video streaming services, like Netflix, HBO Max, or use “faux cable” alternatives that allow you to watch live TV, such as YouTube TV and Sling TV. However, cutting the cord isn't the best choice for everyone.

What are people replacing cable with?

People are replacing cable with a mix of Live TV Streaming Services (like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo) for live channels and On-Demand Subscription Services (Netflix, Max, Disney+, Prime Video) for movies and shows, often bundled with Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST) Apps (Tubi, Pluto TV) for more variety, all accessed via the internet on various devices. This "cord-cutting" trend offers more flexibility, personalization, and potential cost savings over traditional cable.
 

What percentage of Americans still pay for cable?

And you know it because we tell you about it over and over. Fifteen years ago, nearly 9 in 10 US households had a pay TV subscription. By the end of 2025, that number will be down to five out of 10. (That 50.2% number is for Q3 of this year; Wieser thinks that should get down to 50% or lower by the end of December.)

Do people still use cable in 2025?

Streaming dominates 2025 viewing habits, capturing 47.3% of all U.S. TV time compared to cable's 24.1%. Cable subscribers have dropped to 68.7 million households in 2025, down from 105 million in 2010, a 35% decline over 15 years.

Is it worth it to cancel cable?

Yes, cutting cable is often worth it for saving money and gaining control over your TV choices, but it requires careful planning to manage streaming costs and ensure you still get the channels and live content you want, as streaming prices are rising and bundled internet discounts might disappear. It offers freedom from contracts and equipment fees, letting you tailor subscriptions to your specific viewing habits (e.g., Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Live TV Streaming like YouTube TV/Philo), but you need to track individual service costs and potential hidden fees like taxes or loss of internet bundle deals. 

What is cable being replaced with?

In modern systems, more and more of this copper plant is being replaced with fiber. Fiber-optic lines – a type of glass – transmit light, rather than electricity. Fiber provides vastly greater capacity and reliability than copper. However, it does not conduct electricity.

Is streaming better than cable?

Neither streaming nor cable is definitively "better"—it depends on your viewing habits, budget, and internet quality; streaming offers more flexibility, personalized content, and no long-term contracts but requires strong internet, while cable provides reliable live TV, local channels, and bundled simplicity, though often at higher costs with contracts. Streaming has surpassed cable in viewership, but the best choice often involves mixing streaming services for on-demand shows with services (or antennas) for live news/sports. 

Where do Trump supporters get their news?

Trump supporters get news from a mix of right-leaning cable news (especially Fox News), conservative podcasts/radio, online platforms like X (Twitter) & Facebook, and increasingly social media/family networks, often relying on sources emphasizing their perspective, forming what some call a media bubble, while distrusting mainstream outlets like CNN/MSNBC. 

Is Fox News more popular than ABC News?

FOX NEWS CHANNEL BEATS CBS AND ABC IN THIRD QUARTER AND REMAINS LEADER IN ALL OF TELEVISION YEAR TO DATE.

Is CNN right or left?

CNN is generally perceived as leaning left by conservatives and as a mainstream, centrist source by liberals, though it faces criticism from both sides for bias, with some studies showing left-leaning commentary and a tendency to feature diverse voices, while others note a shift to a more "nuts-and-bolts" approach recently. Republicans often distrust CNN, while Democrats tend to trust it more, reflecting partisan divides in media consumption. 

How to get rid of cable and still watch TV?

To get rid of cable and still watch TV, combine a digital antenna for free local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) with internet-based streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube TV for on-demand and live cable-like content, using a smart TV or streaming device (Roku, Fire Stick) for access; free services (Tubi, Pluto TV) also offer content. 

What is the downside of a smart TV?

The main downsides of smart TVs are privacy concerns (data collection/eavesdropping), poor performance (sluggishness, freezing, bugs), and software obsolescence (lack of updates leading to unsupported apps), often coupled with intrusive ads and potential security vulnerabilities, making dedicated streaming devices sometimes a better choice for consistent performance. 

Can TV be watched without cable?

Streaming platforms allow instant and on-demand access to thousands of shows, movies, and live TV without the need for a traditional cable subscription. Having the ability to stream content has revolutionized the way we watch TV and movies. Next, we're going to go over some of the most popular streaming platforms.

Is MSNBC very left leaning?

Commentators have described MSNBC as having a bias towards left-leaning politics and the Democratic Party. In November 2007, a New York Times article stated that MSNBC's prime-time lineup is tilting more to the left.

How is Gutfeld doing in the rating?

Gutfeld! on Fox News consistently leads late-night cable, averaging around 2.7 to 3.2 million viewers nightly in late 2025, outperforming rivals like Colbert, Kimmel, and Meyers, and attracting a diverse audience, including significant Democratic and Independent viewership, making it a dominant force in the timeslot with strong growth.
 

Is CNN losing ratings?

In total day, CNN lost viewers by -11% and -35% in total viewers and the demo, respectively. CNN finished in the No. 5 position, up one spot, during primetime and in fourth place, up from fifth, in total day in total viewers.