Most Americans Prefer Streaming Their Favorite Shows Online Over Watching on Traditional TV

What’s your favorite TV show? How do you watch it? Those are the two questions the research group Hub asked consumers and reported the responses in their annual Conquering Content study. What they found is that consumers are more likely than ever to watch their new favorite shows with an online platform. Of those surveyed, 63% said they prefer online sources while 35% said they would rather watch with traditional TV. That’s a complete reversal from 2015 when 57% said they preferred traditional TV.

The study also looked at where viewers are going to find their next favorite.

Last year, Netflix took the lead as the favorite source for new shows. This year, the Conquering Content report shows that 34% of viewers now say their new favorite show is on Netflix, compared to 23% for traditional TV.

“Even if traditional TV platforms still account for the bulk of all TV viewing, online sources are now the clear go-to for consumers’ favorite shows—the shows they’re most likely to talk about with others,” said Peter Fondulas, principal at Hub and co-author of the study. “Equally notable is that Netflix, by itself, is now a stronger source of favorite shows than all linear TV networks taken together.”

Now we want to hear from you. What’s your favorite show of 2019? Where did you discover it and how do you prefer to watch?  Let us know in the comments!

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