Skip to main content

Netflix subscriptions have surpassed cable TV in the U.S.

For years, streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have been eating away at the cable television industry, as cord-cutters realize they can get much of the same content (and more) in affordable, convenient ways. Now that we all have screens in our pockets (and in our backpacks, briefcases, and purses), watching live TV has become a burden, with lots of our favorite shows available for instantaneous viewing.

On Wednesday, an article published by Statista reinforces the notion that Netflix could singlehandedly spell doom for the archaic cable paradigm. According to the chart, the DVD delivery service-turned-streaming heavyweight now boasts 50.9 million subscribers — more than the 48.6 million customers currently subscribed to major cable TV companies, per Leichtman Research Group (these “major cable TV companies” include Comcast, Charter, Altice, Mediacom, CableOne, and Cox, together making up 95 percent of the cable market).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Although that 48.6 million number does not include subscribers to satellite TV companies like Dish Network or internet TV services like Sling (in total, there are nearly 100 million subscribers to paid TV services), it still paints a vivid picture of the shifting entertainment landscape, as more and more viewers turn to streaming solutions for access to their favorite content. Curiously, Netflix’s rise seems to be largely self-sustained and not simply a product of cord-cutting: While Netflix’s subscription numbers have skyrocketed by 27 million since the first quarter of 2012, cable subscriptions have only dropped by 4 million in the same window, which is not catastrophic by any means.

Recommended Videos

It is possible that Netflix’s growth is partially due to its ever-growing library of Netflix Original shows and movies, many of which have earned critical acclaim, and none of which are available anywhere outside the platform. Given the staggering rate at which Netflix commissions new content (and the varied selection of actors and directors that have worked with the company), it is difficult to envision it slowing down anytime soon.

Nick Hastings
Former Staff Writer, Home Theater
Nick is a Portland native and a graduate of Saint Mary's College of California with a Bachelor's of Communication. Nick's…
The best Netflix original series right now
The cast of You.

Some of the best Netflix original series weren't always original. Take, for example, You, the thrilling series that recently concluded after five seasons. You premiered on Lifetime and failed to pick up an audience on cable. However, streaming was a different story, and You was such an obvious success that Netflix renewed the series for four additional seasons.
One of Netflix's latest original series, Ransom Canyon, could conceivably also run that long or even longer. The Western romance has been near the top of Netflix's most popular shows since its debut earlier in April. Netflix hasn't renewed it yet, but that's probably just a matter of time. These new additions and the rest of the best Netflix original series are below.

If you want to know the latest additions to the Netflix library, be sure to check out our list of what's new on Netflix this month, the best movies on Netflix, and the best shows on Netflix. If you need more programs to watch, check out the best new shows to stream this week, the best shows on Hulu, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and the best shows on Disney+.

Read more
The 10 most popular TV shows on Netflix right now
A woman stands in the middle of two men.

Exploring the thousands of titles on Netflix can be both exciting and overwhelming. Content of all types abounds, from dramas and comedies to reality shows and documentaries. It's a good thing we have a list to help narrow the decision by letting you see the most popular Netflix shows. Every week, Netflix releases its list of the 10 most-watched TV shows over a recent seven-day period.

Fans of Virgin River will love the newest show atop the chart, Sullivan's Crossing. The Canadian romantic drama is based on the novels by Robyn Carr, the same author of Virgin River. Moving back to the No. 2 spot is the third and final season of Squid Game. Below, we have listed the top 10 shows in the U.S. from July 7 to July 13, along with general information about each show, including genre, rating, cast, and synopsis.

Read more
7 best drama TV shows of the 2020s so far, ranked
Adam Scott holding a red ball in "Severance" season 2.

Audiences continue to live in the Golden Age of Television, as they have been treated to some of the best drama shows in history. Whether they're sci-fi mysteries like Severance or grounded, character-driven pieces like Succession, the stories shown on TV have kept viewers hooked to their screens and tuning in for more.

Though the decade is only half over, the television industry has already produced more of the best drama shows of the 2020s.
7. The White Lotus (2021-present)

Read more