Streaming now beats traditional TV, with YouTube in the lead

For the first time, streaming services have become more popular than traditional TV, according to Nielsen’s May 2025 report. Streaming captured 44.8% of all TV viewing in the U.S., slightly more than cable (24.1%) and broadcast TV (20.1%) combined. This marks a big shift in how people watch their favorite shows and movies. YouTube led the way, making up 12.5% of all TV viewing.

It’s not just for short videos anymore—many people now use it as their main TV platform. Other services like Netflix, which had 7.5% of viewership, and free platforms like Pluto TV and Tubi also played a big role. These free, ad-supported services are gaining fans because they’re easy to access and don’t cost anything. Since Nielsen started tracking streaming in 2021, it’s grown by 71%.

Back then, cable and broadcast TV dominated with nearly two-thirds of viewing time, while streaming had just 26%. Now, even older viewers over 65 are switching to streaming, joining younger audiences who made the change earlier. Live events like sports and news have kept traditional TV alive, but the gap is closing. Media companies are investing more in streaming, with some even moving away from cable. As platforms like YouTube and Netflix keep growing, streaming is likely to stay on top.