Cable’s innovative technology and compelling content are providing tens of millions of American consumers with a powerful, portable and personal experience. As the number of platforms for consuming content rapidly expands, consumers are continuing to turn to cable to deliver the most advanced and reliable products and services.

Faster broadband and quality voice services connect cable customers to their world. Cable’s innovations with “wideband” technology are bringing world-class transmission speeds to broadband subscribers in hundreds of communities. Speeds of 50 megabits per second to more than 100 megabits per second are available today from most major cable broadband providers.

Cable is a powerful growth engine in America’s economic recovery. Cable’s private capital investments have created an industry that supports 1.8 million workers. Cable operators and programmers have continued to generate growth, even in a tough economy, and cable’s broadband services are a critical growth tool supporting thousands of businesses and millions of employees.

Cable industry employees can be found in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. In 2010, Cable operators provided direct employment to 233,700 people; programmers provided direct employment to 50,700 people. Including both direct and indirect employment, the cable industry accounted for nearly 1.8 million U.S. jobs representing almost $77 billion in personal income, while the program network industry accounted for 854,000 jobs representing almost $32 billion in personal income.

Cable’s Reach

• 129 million households have access to cable video service
• 60 million households nationwide subscribe to cable’s video product
• 45 million customers – nearly 75 percent of cable’s video customers – enjoy digital cable
• 44 million customers rely on cable broadband Internet connections
• 24 million customers experience the savings and reliability of cable digital phone service

Cable’s Investment in Infrastructure

Investment and innovation are the bedrock of cable’s ever-evolving products, services, and content. Despite a challenging economy, cable has continued to invest in content and infrastructure.

• Cable operators since 1996 have invested more than $170 billion to upgrade networks that deliver 5 gigabits per second or more of throughput for video, phone and broadband services.
• Cable programmers since 1996 have invested more than $185 billion in content that entertains, educates, and inspires.

An Analysis of the Cable Industry's Impact on the U.S. Economy