Cost is seen as the largest factor in the 101-point satisfaction gap (on a 1,000-point scale) between live TV streaming and cable/satellite services, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Television Service Provider Satisfaction Study.
Overall, TV streamers scored 625 and cable/satellite providers 524. The gap between the two specifically on value for the price paid was 140 points. According to the study, the reported monthly average cost for live TV streaming is $75, while cable and satellite is $120.
“It is clear that price has been a main driver in satisfaction, however, satisfaction for streaming is higher than cable and satellite customers across all seven dimensions of the study,” Carl Lepper, J.D. Power senior director of technology, media and telecom intelligence said in a press release.
“Live streaming has reorganized the industry and as it continues, cable and satellite providers have been working hard to remain competitive, including exploring new revenue models to compete with the cost pressure.”
YouTube TV ranked highest among those streamers for the second consecutive year with a score of 651. It was followed by Hulu+ Live TV (635), Sling TV (613), Fubo (578), and DirecTV Stream (558). The segment average was 625.
Spectrum ranked highest in cable/satellite TV–national ratings with a score of 530. It was followed by Xfinity (529), Dish (516) and DirecTV (509). The study average was 524.
In addition to streaming TV, the study looked at cable and satellite provider popularity on a regional basis:
East: Verizon Fios was tops in the cable/satellite TV–east region for a third consecutive year at 570. It was followed by DirecTV (520), Cox Communications (519), Xfinity (509), DISH (506), Spectrum (504) and Optimum (482). The regional average was 320.
North Central: Xfinity ranks highest at 528. It was followed by Spectrum (516), Dish (505), DirecTV (490), and Xtream powered by Mediacom (456). The region average was 513.
South: Xfinity ranks highest at 570. It was followed by Cox Communications (547), Spectrum (545), DISH (523), DirecTV (510), and Optimum (492). The region average was 539.
West: Spectrum was at 534. It was followed by Xfinity (517), DISH (516), DirectTV (511), and Cox Communications (501). The region average was 516.
In April, the NCTA and polling firm Morning Consult found in a survey of more than 4,400 adults that almost all of those who regularly watch TV use a streaming service. The study found that those who do use a streaming TV service say they subscribe to two or three services.
