of total TV watch-time went to streaming
Streaming gained 1.0 percentage point from April to May.
Source: Nielsen, July 28, 2026U.S. Television Reference
U.S. TV Viewing & Streaming Statistics
Current, citable data on how Americans spent time watching television, from streaming and cable to broadcast and the platforms shaping the month.
Last updated August 6, 2026. Data covers Nielsen's May 2026 measurement interval.
The Big Picture
Streaming took nearly half of all TV watch-time.
These figures show the share of total television usage across streaming, cable and broadcast during Nielsen's five-week May 2026 interval.
May 2026 Data
Six numbers worth quoting.
Each statistic below links directly to the Nielsen reporting behind it.
of total TV watch-time went to cable
Cable viewing fell as cable news viewing declined 16% during the interval.
Source: Nielsen, July 28, 2026of total TV watch-time went to broadcast
Broadcast sports viewing rose 3%, even as drama and sitcom viewing fell after the regular season ended.
Source: Nielsen, July 28, 2026of TV watch-time went to YouTube
It was YouTube’s best share to date and its third straight month as the largest media distributor.
Source: Nielsen, July 28, 2026of TV watch-time went to Prime Video
Prime Video’s share rose 0.3 percentage point from April, helped by original programming and live sports.
Source: Nielsen, July 28, 2026minutes watched from Prime Video live sports
Nielsen attributed the total to 20 events, including NBA Playoff, WNBA and NASCAR races.
Source: Nielsen, July 28, 2026What It Means
TV is not one habit anymore.
Streaming is the largest viewing category, but cable and broadcast still account for almost two out of every five minutes of TV use combined. Live sports were a clear force in May, supporting viewing across Prime Video, ESPN and broadcast television.
For a household choosing its next setup, the useful question is not simply which option is growing. It is which mix covers the live programming, local stations, sports, movies and devices that matter in that home.
Compare live TV options →Sources & Method
How to use this page.
This reference page reports figures published by Nielsen in its May 2026 Gauge and Media Distributor Gauge update. Nielsen's reporting interval ran from April 27 through May 31, 2026.
Percentages are shares of total U.S. television watch-time in that interval. The source link beside every figure leads to the original Nielsen report, where the measurement notes and context are available.
Read the Nielsen May 2026 reportCite this page
VEHO TV. “U.S. TV Viewing & Streaming Statistics.” Updated August 6, 2026. https://veho.tv/tv-viewing-statistics