How things have changed

[Bruce]

Read this article about back home in Michigan-

Streaming services continue to erode the popularity of cable television in Michigan, where subscribers fell below 1 million in 2025 for the first time since state officials began keeping records.

A report released this week by the Michigan Public Service Commission found that 980,543 video and cable customers remain, down about 120,000 from the previous year.

Ten years ago, there were more than 2 million subscribers in Michigan. In the past five years, the number has plunged 40%.

Streaming is a far more popular option for younger people, especially among people aged 30-49, 92% of whom use streaming services compared to 65% of adults older than 65, according to data from Pew Research Center.

More than 80% of Americans now use streaming platforms compared to 36% of Americans who don't, according to Pew Research Center.

Then this, which I somewhat disagree with-

The exodus from cable comes as providers raise prices to offset shrinking customer bases.

Price is not the only reason, it is also content, streaming services now have the same content that is on Traditional Providers, but also the streaming shows, yes at a less expensive price.

Plus the fact that new content ( especially scripted material) on Broadcast/Cable Channels is declining at an accelerated rate.

Then we have the better video quality on streaming services, why watch/pay for CBS in 1080i or FX in 720P shows ( just two examples) on Traditional Providers, when they are in 4K on streaming services, either same or next day.

Michigan cutting the cord at record rates, as cable subscribers fall below 1M - Bridge Michigan

Cable television subscribers fell below 1 million in Michigan in 2025, as concerns about the cost of streaming services are increasing.

bridgemi.com

 

[Jimbo]

Isn't all of this Expected, afterall the whole world knows about streaming ... not really News anymore.

Then again when Streaming prices continue to climb, it may make Cable/Sat look better, remembering the Older group that don't want to change providers, they want what they already know.
My parents click on a tile to choose what they want to watch, in thier case its the same channel most of the time all day long. (but they are in thier 80's)
Many TV's turn on to the Home screen (unless told otherwise) ...

I doubt that Cable/ Sat will ever REALLY come back, but thier numbers may trend up some if Streaming prices continue to rise.

All we really did is changed the way we GET our TV ....
More Content is nice, but No One really watches ALL of it.
You watch what is Popular and things you have an interest in.

I agree with whats being said up above, just don't see reports of it climbing every month to be New worthy anymore, its the Norm.
Just like the transistion from SD to HD and anything else that we have improved over the years.

 

[b4pjoe]

Then again when Streaming prices continue to climb, it may make Cable/Sat look better, remembering the Older group that don't want to change providers, they want what they already know.

That can never happen as long as cable/sat is also raising their prices. Cable/Satellite will never look better.

 

[Jimbo]

That can never happen as long as cable/sat is also raising their prices. Cable/Satellite will never look better.

Sure it can ....
Streaming started around $35, now its up to Close to $100, which is right up there with Cable.

Nice thing about Streaming, is sometimes it travels with you ...

 

[b4pjoe]

Sure it can ....
Streaming started around $35, now its up to Close to $100, which is right up there with Cable.

Nice thing about Streaming, is sometimes it travels with you ...

So you are only talking about vMVPD's I guess. So they went up about $65...what cable/sat service has not matched or exceeded that in the same time frame?

 

[Jimbo]

So you are only talking about vMVPD's I guess. So they went up about $65...what cable/sat service has not matched or exceeded that in the same time frame?

Cable still goes up, but Streaming is rising Faster, I believe.

 

[Ronnie-]

So you are only talking about vMVPD's I guess. So they went up about $65...what cable/sat service has not matched or exceeded that in the same time frame?

Yes, and you still have the equipment fees that add a good chunk of the cost of the package on top of it.

 

[Bruce]

Sure it can ....
Streaming started around $35, now its up to Close to $100, which is right up there with Cable.

Nice thing about Streaming, is sometimes it travels with you ...

There is no way it is near $100.

To receive the majority of content from Broadcast/Cable Channels, you need-

Hulu/Disney $20 a month /with ESPN $35
Peacock $15 a month
Paramount+ $12 a month

So, only $47-62 a month, plus commercial free, 4k and a lot more content, less if you chose the with commercials option.

Traditional Providers-more than $100, plus Broadcast, Boxes, other just because you are our customer type fees, less and less new content, awful video/sound quality, etc.

 

[ncted]

Cable still goes up, but Streaming is rising Faster, I believe.

On Demand streaming prices may be be rising faster than vMVPDs, but you also are arguably getting more for your money, especially now as more sports become available. Based on the what the people I know who are still on Spectrum cable pay, I do not believe on-demand streaming prices are going up much, if any, faster than traditional cable.

That said, I wish streaming prices did not have to go up as much as they have been, and didn't have to have all the expensive sports, but alas, the reasons cable was successful for so long will drive streaming services to follow the same path.

 

[b4pjoe]

Cable still goes up, but Streaming is rising Faster, I believe.

The actual dollar amounts my DIRECTV goes up every year is more dollars than any streaming service.