US broadcast TV shares fell to a record low of 18.5% in June, according to Nielsen’s latest report, as streaming services like Netflix and Peacock captured 46% of total viewing.
The absence of sports events, including football, and prime-time episodes after their seasons ended in May contributed to the decline. Broadcast networks lost 5% from May, while cable and broadcast combined fell from 44.2% to 41.9%. Cable viewing remained relatively flat but still saw a 0.7 share point drop.
Streaming services experienced significant growth, with Netflix’s viewership increasing by 13.5% and its content accounting for 8.3% of total viewing time. Peacock also saw a 13.4% surge in viewership, driven largely by the popularity of Love Island USA.
Youth audiences played a key role in the streaming boom, with kids aged 6-17 increasing their TV usage by 27%. The “other” category, including gaming consoles and set-top box usage, also saw a significant jump.
While the outlook for linear TV appears bleak, cable news experienced a 12% gain in viewership, driven by special programming and breaking news. The NBA Finals on ABC and the Army 250 Parade on Fox News Channel were among the top-rated telecasts of the month.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/07/broadcast-tv-slips-to-all-time-low-audience-nielsen-june-viewing-1236457577