Streaming media has exploded in popularity over the last decade, as broadband has become even faster, more reliable, and ubiquitous across the United States. In fact, the rise in streaming is possible through America’s robust internet infrastructure, facilitating the ability for someone to watch whatever they want, wherever they want.
To better understand Americans’ attitudes and habits around streaming media, NCTA partnered with Morning Consult to survey over 4,400 adults in mid-March.
Americans give broadband and streaming high marks
Broadband enables streaming media, with robust high-speed connections driving the technology’s adoption. In fact, 85% of customers give their home broadband service a positive rating.
- 84% of streaming viewers reported they had zero problems using these platforms in the last seven days.
- 60% say they consider original content from these platforms to be high-quality.
Streaming is popular
Of the 87% of adults who regularly watch TV, 8/9 use a streaming service.
- Those who say they watch TV through a streaming service report that they’re typically subscribed to two or three different platforms, with Netflix coming in as the most popular choice.
- After Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu come in as the second and third most popular platforms, followed by Paramount+, Peacock, Disney Plus, and Max.
- Four in five report using their streaming services to watch movies, documentaries, or TV shows.
- Even though about half (48%) say they’ve kept a consistent pace of how much media they stream in the last six months, four out of ten say they’ve actually increased how much they’re watching.
Most adults are sports fans
76% of adults say they are at least casual sports fans with 21% identifying as “avid” fans. But viewing habits vary.
- 55% of all adults watch sports regularly, with that same amount reporting that they watch via cable or streaming.
- Sports fans who say they are avid and have higher incomes prefer purchasing a larger bundle of channels whereas others prefer to purchase by team, game or league.
The way Americans consume media has transformed over the last decade, with the streaming revolution made possible by decades of investment in broadband infrastructure. The success for both the streaming ecosystem and audiences demonstrates the transformational power that fast, reliable broadband networks have on innovation.