Streaming Nearly Matches Linear TV Viewership in February, Despite Super Bowl
In February, streaming services nearly matched traditional TV in terms of viewership, accounting for 43.5% of all TV use in the United States. The month saw a slight dip in both broadcast and cable viewing compared to January, despite the massive audience for events like the Super Bowl, the Grammys, and SNL’s 50th anniversary special.
The end of football season in the US, following a jam-packed schedule of college and NFL playoff games in January, contributed to the decline in linear TV viewership. Broadcast TV’s share dropped from 22.5% in January to 21.2% in February, while cable went from 24.4% to 23.2%.
On the streaming front, YouTube reached an all-time high of 11.6% of all TV use in February, leading the pack among streaming platforms. Netflix came in second at 8.2%. Despite the dip from January, Netflix remains a major player in the streaming space.
The Super Bowl on February 9th generated a whopping 110 billion minutes of viewing, making it the second-largest single day for TV viewership since Nielsen began its monthly reports in May 2021. And while linear TV took a hit in February, streaming services continue to thrive, showcasing the shift in consumer habits and priorities when it comes to entertainment.
