GITNUXREPORT 2025

Cable Tv Industry Statistics

Global cable TV market valued at $198.4 billion in 2022.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average monthly cable TV bill in the U.S. was around $110 in 2023.

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The average revenue per user (ARPU) for cable TV providers in North America was roughly $85 per month in 2023.

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Cable TV advertising revenues in the US during 2023 declined by approximately 5% compared to 2022.

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The median monthly cable bill in the US is around $107.

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Cable TV provider revenue growth has slowed to about 1% annually since 2020.

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IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) services accounted for nearly 30% of the overall cable TV revenue in 2023.

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Revenue from premium cable channels (like HBO, Showtime) accounted for approximately 12% of total cable revenue in 2023.

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Cable TV's contribution to sports broadcasting revenue globally is estimated at over $18 billion annually.

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The global cable TV market was valued at approximately $198.4 billion in 2022.

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As of 2023, there are over 1.2 billion cable TV subscriptions worldwide.

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In the United States, cable TV penetration among households was about 54% in 2023.

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Approximately 70% of cable TV subscribers in the U.S. also subscribe to streaming services as of 2023.

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The total number of high-definition (HD) cable TV channels reached over 20,000 globally in 2022.

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The average household watches approximately 214 hours of cable TV content per month in the US.

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The penetration of cable TV in rural areas of the U.S. was about 61% in 2023.

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The number of cord-cutters in the US surpassed 50 million in 2023.

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About 82% of cable TV households have access to at least 100 channels.

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The top five cable TV providers in the U.S. account for approximately 70% of the total subscriber base.

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Cable TV remains the primary source of live news coverage for roughly 65% of American households.

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Approximately 82 million households in the US have cable or satellite TV access.

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Cable TV's market share in the overall pay TV industry was about 74% in North America in 2022.

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The number of digital video recorder (DVR) subscriptions in cable TV increased by 25% between 2021 and 2023.

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Over 50% of cable TV viewers report that they use some form of parental controls to manage content access.

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The average number of devices connected to a cable TV household's network is around 4.

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The adoption rate of 4K resolution on cable TV channels reached approximately 60% in 2023.

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Cable TV's share of total media advertising spend in the US was approximately 20% in 2023.

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Cable TV retains a larger share of live sports broadcasting rights, securing around 80% of deals globally.

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The number of cable TV households with smart TVs capable of streaming apps surpassed 90 million globally in 2023.

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The number of pay TV subscribers in North America declined by about 10% from 2020 to 2023.

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The emergence of affordable streaming alternatives has increased cord-cutting by approximately 15% annually since 2020.

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By 2025, it is projected that over 46 million US households will have completely canceled cable and satellite TV subscriptions.

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Over 70% of cable TV consumers access their service via digital cable (as opposed to analog), as of 2023.

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The global OTT (over-the-top) video market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% between 2023 and 2030, impacting traditional cable businesses.

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The average monthly churn rate for cable TV providers in the US is about 3%, reflecting customer retention challenges.

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The number of traditional cable TV households is expected to decline by about 20% over the next five years.

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The number of new cable subscription plans offering HD channels increased by 30% in 2022.

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The average length of a cable TV subscription in the US is approximately 8 years.

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About 15% of households still rely solely on cable TV for their television needs, despite decline trends.

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The number of international channels available through cable TV has increased by 12% since 2020.

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Nearly 40% of cable TV users have switched to streaming as their primary viewing platform in the past year.

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The number of households with bundled cable/internet packages grew by 8% in 2022.

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Cable TV services that include cloud-based DVR options grew by over 23% in 2022.

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The majority of cable TV providers (around 75%) have begun offering app-based streaming platforms to complement traditional services.

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The average cost of equipment rentals (like cable boxes) has increased by about 4% annually since 2019.

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About 65% of cable TV customers are satisfied with their service, as per 2023 surveys.

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The majority of cable TV subscribers (about 58%) prefer a bundle of services including internet, TV, and phone.

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The average age of cable TV viewers in the US is around 50 years.

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Nearly 40% of cable TV users access content primarily via mobile devices.

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Kids and teenagers constitute approximately 15% of the cable TV viewership globally.

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60% of cable TV consumers in the US prefer mixed content, combining live TV and on-demand services.

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The average age of new cable TV subscribers is decreasing, with a notable rise in subscribers aged 18-34.

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Data shows that 65% of cable TV consumers use their mobile devices to watch live TV.

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About 55% of cable TV viewers prefer the traditional cable layout over apps or on-demand-only services.

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Key Highlights

The global cable TV market was valued at approximately $198.4 billion in 2022.
As of 2023, there are over 1.2 billion cable TV subscriptions worldwide.
In the United States, cable TV penetration among households was about 54% in 2023.
The average monthly cable TV bill in the U.S. was around $110 in 2023.
Approximately 70% of cable TV subscribers in the U.S. also subscribe to streaming services as of 2023.
The number of pay TV subscribers in North America declined by about 10% from 2020 to 2023.
The total number of high-definition (HD) cable TV channels reached over 20,000 globally in 2022.
The average household watches approximately 214 hours of cable TV content per month in the US.
The penetration of cable TV in rural areas of the U.S. was about 61% in 2023.
About 65% of cable TV customers are satisfied with their service, as per 2023 surveys.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) for cable TV providers in North America was roughly $85 per month in 2023.
The number of cord-cutters in the US surpassed 50 million in 2023.
The emergence of affordable streaming alternatives has increased cord-cutting by approximately 15% annually since 2020.

Despite a global market valued at nearly $200 billion and over a billion subscriptions worldwide, the cable TV industry is rapidly evolving as cord-cutting accelerates and streaming services gain ground, reshaping how audiences access content and challenging traditional revenue models.

Financial Metrics and Revenue Insights

The average monthly cable TV bill in the U.S. was around $110 in 2023.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) for cable TV providers in North America was roughly $85 per month in 2023.
Cable TV advertising revenues in the US during 2023 declined by approximately 5% compared to 2022.
The median monthly cable bill in the US is around $107.
Cable TV provider revenue growth has slowed to about 1% annually since 2020.
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) services accounted for nearly 30% of the overall cable TV revenue in 2023.
Revenue from premium cable channels (like HBO, Showtime) accounted for approximately 12% of total cable revenue in 2023.
Cable TV's contribution to sports broadcasting revenue globally is estimated at over $18 billion annually.

Financial Metrics and Revenue Insights Interpretation

With the typical U.S. cable bill hovering around $110 and ARPU at $85 amid a modest 1% annual growth, the industry is silently venting its ad revenue woes—down 5% in 2023—while IPTV’s 30% slice and billion-dollar sports deals hint at a digital pivot, all underlining a cable sector caught between stubborn costs and the digital tide.

Market Size and Penetration

The global cable TV market was valued at approximately $198.4 billion in 2022.
As of 2023, there are over 1.2 billion cable TV subscriptions worldwide.
In the United States, cable TV penetration among households was about 54% in 2023.
Approximately 70% of cable TV subscribers in the U.S. also subscribe to streaming services as of 2023.
The total number of high-definition (HD) cable TV channels reached over 20,000 globally in 2022.
The average household watches approximately 214 hours of cable TV content per month in the US.
The penetration of cable TV in rural areas of the U.S. was about 61% in 2023.
The number of cord-cutters in the US surpassed 50 million in 2023.
About 82% of cable TV households have access to at least 100 channels.
The top five cable TV providers in the U.S. account for approximately 70% of the total subscriber base.
Cable TV remains the primary source of live news coverage for roughly 65% of American households.
Approximately 82 million households in the US have cable or satellite TV access.
Cable TV's market share in the overall pay TV industry was about 74% in North America in 2022.
The number of digital video recorder (DVR) subscriptions in cable TV increased by 25% between 2021 and 2023.
Over 50% of cable TV viewers report that they use some form of parental controls to manage content access.
The average number of devices connected to a cable TV household's network is around 4.
The adoption rate of 4K resolution on cable TV channels reached approximately 60% in 2023.
Cable TV's share of total media advertising spend in the US was approximately 20% in 2023.
Cable TV retains a larger share of live sports broadcasting rights, securing around 80% of deals globally.
The number of cable TV households with smart TVs capable of streaming apps surpassed 90 million globally in 2023.

Market Size and Penetration Interpretation

Despite mounting cord-cutting and streaming competition, the entrenched cable TV industry—with over a billion global subscriptions, thousands of high-definition channels, and holding onto major sports rights—remains a formidable force valued at nearly $200 billion, proving that for many still, cable is king, whether for live news, sports, or simply buffering amidst a sea of streaming options.

Market Trends and Industry Challenges

The number of pay TV subscribers in North America declined by about 10% from 2020 to 2023.
The emergence of affordable streaming alternatives has increased cord-cutting by approximately 15% annually since 2020.
By 2025, it is projected that over 46 million US households will have completely canceled cable and satellite TV subscriptions.
Over 70% of cable TV consumers access their service via digital cable (as opposed to analog), as of 2023.
The global OTT (over-the-top) video market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% between 2023 and 2030, impacting traditional cable businesses.
The average monthly churn rate for cable TV providers in the US is about 3%, reflecting customer retention challenges.
The number of traditional cable TV households is expected to decline by about 20% over the next five years.
The number of new cable subscription plans offering HD channels increased by 30% in 2022.
The average length of a cable TV subscription in the US is approximately 8 years.
About 15% of households still rely solely on cable TV for their television needs, despite decline trends.
The number of international channels available through cable TV has increased by 12% since 2020.
Nearly 40% of cable TV users have switched to streaming as their primary viewing platform in the past year.
The number of households with bundled cable/internet packages grew by 8% in 2022.
Cable TV services that include cloud-based DVR options grew by over 23% in 2022.
The majority of cable TV providers (around 75%) have begun offering app-based streaming platforms to complement traditional services.
The average cost of equipment rentals (like cable boxes) has increased by about 4% annually since 2019.

Market Trends and Industry Challenges Interpretation

As traditional cable TV continues its 20% decline by 2028 amid a 20% surge in streaming options and a 23% boost in cloud DVR offerings, it’s clear that the industry is evolving from a cable-centric model to a digital streaming universe—though with 15% of households still tethered solely to cable, the cord is not entirely cut just yet.

Subscriber Demographics and User Preferences

About 65% of cable TV customers are satisfied with their service, as per 2023 surveys.
The majority of cable TV subscribers (about 58%) prefer a bundle of services including internet, TV, and phone.
The average age of cable TV viewers in the US is around 50 years.
Nearly 40% of cable TV users access content primarily via mobile devices.
Kids and teenagers constitute approximately 15% of the cable TV viewership globally.
60% of cable TV consumers in the US prefer mixed content, combining live TV and on-demand services.
The average age of new cable TV subscribers is decreasing, with a notable rise in subscribers aged 18-34.
Data shows that 65% of cable TV consumers use their mobile devices to watch live TV.
About 55% of cable TV viewers prefer the traditional cable layout over apps or on-demand-only services.

Subscriber Demographics and User Preferences Interpretation

While a solid 65% of cable customers express satisfaction and many embrace bundling and mobile viewing, the industry's aging core audience and shifting preferences toward on-demand and mobile content suggest that cable TV must innovate beyond traditional screens to ensure its relevance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.