Cord-cutting continued into 2021 as U.S. consumers dropped pricey cable TV bundles in favor of internet-based TV and movie options. Broadband internet subscriptions grew. Three major players — Comcast, Charter and AT&T — now control most of America’s digital pipelines.
Subscribers to U.S. video and internet services (Q2 2021 or as noted)
| Company | Consumer Digital TV | Consumer Internet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMCAST | 18,225,000 | 29,108,000 | 9.4 million voice customers |
| CHARTER | 15,420,000 | 27,722,000 | 9 million telephone subs |
| ATT | 14,174,000 | 15,481,000 | 65.5 million phone subs |
| VERIZON | 3,710,000 | 6,783,000 | 94.6 million wireless customers |
| COX | 3,865,000* | 5,170,000* | *Q4-2019 estimates |
| ALTICE | 2,906,000 | 4,370,000 | Q1-2021 2.2 million voice customers |
| DISH | 8,640,000 | n.a. | + 2.47 million Sling TV subscribers |
| LUMEN (CenturyLink) | 1,400,000 | 5,000,000 | 2020 per wikipedia |
Sources: Company reports, Leichtman research
These upstart services threaten TV advertising and retransmission license fees, respectively, representing worrisome leaks in the basement of the broadcast TV business model. Studies on ad-skipping have shown its appeal. Time-Warner Cable exploited Aereo threat as a bargaining chip in its contentious carriage negotiation with CBS this summer. Though largely unknown to the public, you have to wonder how quickly these digital disruptions could catch on once consumers take notice.