• by Wayne Friedman , November 19, 2024

Now deep into fresh programming content for fall TV season, NFL programming and new scripted dramas pushed up broadcast TV share -- to 24%, according to Nielsen's total TV/streaming measure.

This was broadcast TV's best result since January of this year (24.2%), and improves on the 22.6% share in September and 22.0% share in August.

Looking specifically at programming categories -- viewing on dramas gained 29% versus September with sports content 10% higher. One should note TV networks typically offer up fresh primetime TV programs starting in the third week of September when Nielsen begins fall season TV viewership estimates.

Also helping broadcast results was the high-rated World Series between the number one and two market teams -- New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers -- on Fox. This five game World Series averaged 15.8 million viewers, the best result in seven years, with game five averaging 18.6 million viewers.

Broadcast TV is down 2% year-over-year.

Streaming platforms were nearly flat versus the previous month, inching down to a still leading 40.5% share versus 41.% share. Year-over-year, overall streaming viewing is 11% higher.

YouTube (10.6%);Hulu (2.4%); Max (1.2%); and Paramount+ (1.2%) stayed the same versus September.

Netflix slipped to 7.5% (from 7.9%), while Amazon Prime Video was down slightly -- 3.5% (from 3.6%) -- while Disney+ dipped 2.4% (2.5%) and Peacock was down 1.3% (1.4%).

All major FAST services (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) were higher again -- with Roku up 12% month-to-month, tied with Tubi for a leading 1.8% share. (Roku was 1.6% in September; vs. Tubi at 1.7%). Pluto was up a tick to 0.8% (from 0.7%).

Cable TV posted its first positive share gain since April, rising to 26.3%. September was at 26.1% share. Month-long election news coverage on cable TV networks as well as college football and Major League playoff game action helped boost those results.

Compared to October 2023, cable TV is down 11%.