More People Are Streaming Netflix Than Watching Cable

[Gahars]

It's 2013, so you should all know what Netflix is. It streams television and films for a pretty good price, and it's the company that is resurrecting Arrested Development. What's not to love?

Well, the competition - That is, if you're working in Cable TV.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says subscribers watched four billion hours of streaming content in the last three months. Exciting for Netflix, not so much for the cable biz: According to one report, this all means more people are watching Netflix than cable TV.

Research firm BTIG (hat tip to HuffPo) totted up the numbers after reading Hasting’s Facebook post, noting that the four billion figure is a global one. But by assuming that say, 88% of the subscribers, about 28.1 million, are in the U.S., that translates into the average U.S. subscriber watching 87 minutes of content per day.

Richard Greenfield of BTIG tells HuffPo this is no small feat. “Netflix is now likely the most watched cable network, essentially in-line with the Disney Channel,” he said.

Consumerist

Now, take heed - there's a good amount of speculation here, so take this with a grain of salt. Still, the numbers on Netflix are impressive no matter what, and I'm glad to see the service perform so well.

And no matter what their numbers are, I'm sure the cable networks won't be taking it well...

I recently joined the Netflix Master Race, and I have to say I'm loving the service. It's absolutely great, and I regret not hopping onboard sooner. I am sad to see Daft Punk proven more and more wrong with each passing year, but I suppose that's the price we pay for progress.

Netflix - Your Best Betflix (Eh? Eh? Call me if you're hiring.)

 

[pokefloote]

I am guilty. I almost never watch cable except for the weekly Walking Dead when it's in season.

 

[Nathan Drake]

Over the past three years, I've switched almost completely over from cable to Netflix. Netflix is what I want to watch, without commercials, and I can stream for only $8 a month. If I wanted DVD's, which I've had that part of their service in the past, it's very efficient. The turn around is as fast as it can possibly be with mailed goods, and the selection is incredible. I'm not at all surprised to see Netflix killing more traditional TV viewing services.

 

[Qtis]

I've gotta say I love Netflix, but the current catalog of series and movies in Finland is shit. I'd prefer to pay for something and get the complete series (How I met your mother, Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, etc.), but currently the latest 2-3 series of pretty much all the new series are missing over here. I'm not sure about Stateside, but hopefully they'll get it worked out. Otherwise I'll be getting a VPN for US/Canada Netflix access..

TL;DR: Get Netflix. It's worth it if you don't want to record everything when it's aired or download when it's available.

 

[WiiUBricker]

Netflix sucks

 

[MasterPenguin]

People watching things online instead of on their tv?

Let's blame it on piracy.

 

[The Milkman]

lol, on my page theres a netflix ad.

But yeah, I love netflix. Not many movies I like, but ive been re-watching cartoons from my early childhood

Way better then Cable, if they could grab more high-rated shows and movies they could wipe it out all together.

 

[nachoscool]

Am I the only one who still doesn't have Netflix?

 

[Gahars]

Am I the only one who still doesn't have Netflix?

Evidently... yes.

 

[ilman]

I don't have Netfix, but I only turn on my TV once a month, so it's pretty much expected.
Actually I don't think there's Netflix over here.

 

[KingVamp]

It's pretty much Netflix + other online streaming for me.

 

[the_randomizer]

Netflix sucks

What are you talking about? Hulu with commercials for $8/month plus Blockbuster Online is the best combination out there, along with paying for Xbox Live!

 

[Celice]

And the means people view Netflix, via computers and game consoles, is likely to play a large role in where broadcasting and advertising agencies are going to start snooping their money-greased fingers around in.

 

[Chary]

Well, I'm totally opposite. I've had Netflix for 2 years, and now I just got cable. Though, I am highly disappointed with cable. Netflix has spoiled me.

 

[Deleted_171835]

Netflix really is awesome. I pirate most of my shows but got a Netflix subscription because of the added convenience. Fringe, Prison Break, Arrested Development, Better off Ted and a bunch of other movies and shows that I haven't watched available with the click of a button was too much to resist.

On that note, Netflix USA >>> Netflix Canada. I started using a VPN to get the US Netflix and the selection is so much better there than on the Canadian one.

 

[LightyKD]

Damn! it looks like I'll be out of a job soon, LMAO! Seriously, I just use Cable for Wrestling, Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers. Everything I watch is on my Wii via seasonal downloads.

 

[ShadowSoldier]

I don't even pay to use netflix, friend let me use his account and I just have it hooked up to all of my devices. I watch it a lot, hell I haven't watched cable TV since the series finale of FlashForward. Not having commercials is total win, it keeps you engaged in the show a lot more.

My only gripe is they need A LOT more stuff on Netflix (At least here in Canada). I want to watch Seinfeld, not on netflix for one example. They also need to get newer seasons of shows faster.

 

[The Catboy]

I don't have cable, so yeah I pretty much only use Netflix and Hulu Plus myself

 

[assassinz]

I watch Netflix via the Wii and my 3DS. More convenient than cable and no time wasted on commercials for shit you don't care about. Cable is WAY overpriced for what you get in service and tax/fees, even the basic package.

 

[TheCasketMan]