Streaming Overtakes Traditional TV as Viewers Shift in 2025

New York, Jul 16 (AP) – This week brought two significant developments that underscore the waning influence of broadcast television in the media landscape, as driven by both younger and older audiences. In June, for the first time, viewers spent more time on streaming services than on combined broadcast and cable television, marking a momentous shift that initially occurred in May. Nielsen reports that this gap expanded significantly in June. Another noteworthy milestone is the Fox News Channel’s continued dominance in prime-time weeknight viewership, surpassing that of major broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox entertainment for three consecutive weeks.

Media executives long anticipated that streaming would define the future of in-home entertainment, and that future is undeniably present. Data from June reveals that Americans devoted 46 percent of their TV time to streaming services, primarily with YouTube and Netflix. Cable television accounted for 23.4 percent, while broadcast TV fell to 18.5 percent, slipping below 20 percent for the first time, as reported by Nielsen. Brian Fuhrer, Nielsen's senior vice president for product strategy and thought leadership, remarked, “It kind of felt like the right time.” He added that many expected this shift to occur sooner. The driving factor in June was the conclusion of the school year for young people, resulting in increased TV watching of hits like “Ginny and Georgia” and “Squid Game.” Approximately two-thirds of individuals aged 6 to 17 preferred streaming over conventional TV, according to Nielsen.

A year prior, in June 2024, the viewing trends were essentially reversed, with 47.7 percent favoring conventional TV and 40.3 percent opting for streaming. While the current trend suggests a decline, this does not spell the end for traditional TV. Viewing typically increases with the onset of football season and new episodes of comedies and dramas in the fall, Fuhrer said. Furthermore, the distribution of content across multiple platforms means viewers now have more options, as media companies diversify their content strategies. YouTube’s growth, accessible to users at no cost and serving as a gateway for traditional TV, has further bolstered streaming’s popularity.

Fox News has occasionally surpassed broadcast networks in viewership in the past, but in 2025, it reached this milestone for the seventh week, exceeding its combined record from 2024 and 2023. Nielsen reports that Fox News averaged 2.4 million viewers in prime time on weeknights last week. Traditionally, this time of year garners the least viewership for broadcast networks due to outdoor activities, but Fox News has outpaced them even beyond the summer season, such as during President Donald Trump's inauguration week in January. The network’s audience, among the oldest in television, remains relatively stable year-round. (AP) PY

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