Subscription TV Resists Cord-Cutters

People-TV

Although new consumer electronic devices/digital video services are making inroads with TV programming, subscription television is still the dominant TV service for consumers -- cord-cutting trends are not yet a threat. 

Consumers with consumer devices viewing online video content claim to watch between seven and eight hours weekly of programming, it says. But there is no cause for alarm. Overall, there is an 11% penetration rate of specific consumer electronic connected video devices.

Still, the study warns that subscription TV sellers must be vigilant in being innovative to combat growing competition.

ABI Research practice director Jason Blackwell stated: "In a relatively fragmented connected consumer electronics market, the pay-TV package is still the best means to get the widest range of content. In addition, some programming such as sports and premium content is still pay-TV-centric, even with TV Everywhere initiatives."

On the online front: Netflix and YouTube are big consumer favorites for online video, while Facebook captures 97% of social networking fans, with MySpace next in line at 32%.

Right now, the survey concludes that "cord-cutting has not occurred at the rate some had previously thought ... but the threat still exists."

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based ABI Research says 90% of respondents of a survey of some 2,000 consumers subscribed to a pay-TV service.

1 comment about "Subscription TV Resists Cord-Cutters".
Check to receive email when comments are posted.
  1. Douglas Ferguson from College of Charleston, June 28, 2011 at 4:35 p.m.

    Seems misleading to use 11 percent for specific devices, when the penetration of regular computer screens is much, much higher. No one needs a specific device to watch Netflix or Hulu.

Next story loading loading..