We already knew that cord cutters are the smartest trailblazers but seeing even more facts supporting that is a great feeling! TV Technology recently covered new consumer research from the Leichtman Research Group, reporting an ongoing drop in pay-TV, with only 71% of TV households nationwide having some form of pay-TV service in 2021.
That is a SIGNIFICANT drop in just 5 years, from the 82% in 2016 and 87% in 2011! The younger demographic had an even larger decline, with only 64% of 18-44-year-old adults subscribing to pay-TV. In comparison, that same age group in 2016 was at 77%!
Here are a few more key highlights from the report that are just pure music to our ears:
- 41% of those surveyed that moved in the past year do NOT currently have a pay-TV service
- 35% of renters do NOT have a pay-TV service.
- 25% of homeowners do NOT have pay-TV service.
- In the 18-34 age range, 28% of non-subscribers formerly HAD pay-TV service and 54% of pay-TV non-subscribers never did .
- 37% of all TV sets in use have a traditional pay-TV providers’ set-top box. In 2016, it was 58%.
Moral of this survey: The percentage of U.S. homes with pay-TV service has greatly declined over the past five years, especially among younger adults, renters, and movers. If you’re asking us to predict the future, we think it’s a pretty safe bet to say these numbers will continue to decline as cord-cutting becomes the new norm. With continued education on ways to enjoy over-the-air television for FREE (with a TV antenna, of course), and with many streaming services available for all tastes, why would you be paying for cable TV?
Have questions on how YOU can cut the cord and watch your favorite shows on broadcast television for free? Reach out to our Connection Crew, available 7 days a week, at 877-825-5572 or chat with them live on our website. They can perform a free home signal analysis and help you determine what antenna will work best for your location.
Long live FREE TV!