A few years ago, many people decided to cut the cord and switch to streaming services. But the biggest concern is, what would happen to their favorite live TV channels? It’s clear that streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other video-on-demand channels like cable or satellite TV cannot offer live channels. Fortunately, there are now a lot of live TV streaming services that are excellent alternatives to cable and satellite TV.

According to a recent report by Insider Intelligence, 47.6 million households are already cord-cutters. Does this mean that live TV streaming services are already taking over cable and satellite TV? Let’s find out.

What Are Live TV Streaming Services Anyway?

Live TV streaming services are platforms that provide access to live television channels over the internet. It works similarly to video-on-demand streaming like Netflix, but the content offered is live channels instead of movies and TV shows you can watch at any time. It’s a more convenient option for cord-cutters who love watching live TV shows wherever they are because most live TV streaming services allow streaming over the phone, tablet, and other gadgets.

A great example of live TV streaming is Sling TV. It offers a selection of the most preferred live TV channels without long contract terms, hassle installation process, and additional fees for equipment. Most of these services are also more affordable than traditional TV options.

So, Is Live TV Streaming Already Taking Over Cable and Satellite TV?

Unfortunately, yes. Looking at the statistics from 2014 to 2023, there was a significant decline in cable and satellite TV penetration in the US. In 20214, there were 102.1 million pay-TV subscribers compared to 60.9 million in the first half of 2023. These numbers are still expected to decline with the growing number of live TV streaming.

What does this mean for cable and satellite TV providers?

The cable and satellite TV industry is still not doomed, although their market has been constantly declining over the years. Cable and satellite TV providers are still putting up a fight in the competitive market. DISH Network, for example, is the leading satellite TV provider in the US, but aside from the long list of channels offered on DISH TV packages, it also offers on-demand titles that you can watch any time you want.

There are also a lot of households that still prefer traditional TV services over streaming services, so we will see a lot of cable and satellite TV moving forward. The market is just becoming more and more competitive.

Is Live TV Streaming Better Than Cable and Satellite TV?

The answer will depend on how you define “better.” For many individuals, especially the younger demographics, live TV streaming is better than cable and satellite TV because of the flexibility and convenience it offers. However, for the older demographics who are already used to the traditional options, cable and satellite TV are definitely better. If you’re looking for a language-specific TV service like Spanish, both live TV and cable/satellite TV have great options for you. There’s Go Latino TV, DirecTV, Sling TV Latino, and many more.

When it comes to accessibility and convenience, live TV streaming wins by a mile because you can always access it wherever you are as long as you have a stable internet connection. But with cable or satellite TV, you’ll need to be at your house or wherever the equipment was installed.

Wrapping Up

Live TV streaming has indeed taken over cable and satellite TV over the past few years, but it doesn’t mean that the traditional options will disappear entirely. If you’re choosing between the two, there’s no right or wrong choice. All you need to do is assess what your needs are and choose the option that meets your needs.