A new report shows that the significant economic impact made by America's cable industry has reached a new high of $450 billion, up $29 billion since 2017. The report from Bortz Media & Sports Group computed the industry's investments in next-generation broadband infrastructure that reaches nearly every community, the award-winning programming that continues to entertain and inform consumers everywhere, and the millions of jobs needed to build, create, and deliver innovative services.
In addition to calculating the overall economic impact, the report states that the cable industry collectively accounts for a total of 3 million American jobs, adding more than 1.2 million direct and indirect jobs since 2002. And notably, cable operators alone employ at least 300 people in every congressional district in the country, in urban and rural communities alike.
The industry's infrastructure investment over the past two decades totals $290 billion, which has led to the delivery of gigabit speeds and sets the foundation for a 10G future. With approximately 80% of U.S. households now connected to the internet, there is no other industry that has done more to make America a global digital leader.
When analyzing economic impact across the national map, the cable industry isn't confined to the coasts or urban centers. In fact, some industries have never set foot in the communities that cable has served for years—communities where it is continuing to invest in robust broadband networks and in providing quality jobs.
When looking to the future, the good news is that economic expansion is likely to continue as service providers and programmers keep investing in delivering the best possible internet and television experience to American consumers.
The full results from the study, complete with an interactive map with economic and job data by state and congressional district, are available here.
