As Cord Cutting Grows Network Ratings Continue to Drop

As cord cutting opens Americans up to new content they can’t get with cable TV, it is no surprise that TV ratings are continuing to drop.

According to cordcuttersnews.com, BTIG, a research group focused on topics like TV, has reported that network ratings are down on average 18% in 2019 compared to 2018. The biggest drop is ABC, which is seeing its viewing down 22% in the ever important 18-49 demographic.

Increasingly networks have relied on advertising and cable subscriptions to cover costs. With cable subscriptions and viewership going down, networks like ABC could soon see not only cable receding but also ad revenue.

For some time now this has been happening to music as more Americans move to streaming. Now half of all music revenue comes from streaming. You have to wonder how long it will be until broadcast TV networks start seeing the same crunch radio stations have felt for the last 10 years.