Streaming viewership exceeded cable and broadcast combined for the first time last month, report says

In a groundbreaking shift in television viewing habits, streaming services have overtaken cable and network television in total U.S. viewership for the first time, as reported by Nielsen. In May, streaming platforms captured an impressive 44.8% of all television viewing, marking their highest share to date. In contrast, traditional cable and broadcast television saw their combined viewership drop to 44.2%. This stark change highlights a significant transition in how audiences consume content. When examining the landscape compared to May 2021, streaming usage has skyrocketed by 71%, while both broadcast and cable have experienced declines of 21% and 39%, respectively. The report further reveals that YouTube led the pack with a remarkable 12.5% share of total viewership, followed by Netflix, which accounted for 7.5%. Notably, the rise of free streaming services has played a crucial role in this transformation, with platforms like PlutoTV, Roku Channel, and Tubi collectively contributing 5.7% to the overall TV viewing figures for the month.