Pay-TV customers often have hundreds of channels at their fingertips, but the vast majority of them watch fewer than 10. TiVo’s quarterly Video Trends Report found that 83.5% of pay-TV users surveyed watched 10 channels or fewer, and the number of individuals who watch 11 or more channels was down 2.6% from the previous quarter.

TiVo asked respondents to pick the channels they would be interested in including in a hypothetical a la carte cable package. On average, respondents chose 19 channels. Only four cable channels – Discovery, History, FX and A&E – broke the 50% barrier among US respondents.

In addition to providing info on which channels viewers value, TiVo offered insight into customer sentiment toward their providers. As of 1Q 2017, 78% of respondents were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the level of value they were receiving from their cable/satellite service provider. Still, 48.9% of respondents indicated they could leave their provider in the next six months – 7.2% planned to cut service, 6.6% planned to switch providers and 31.6% were mulling a change.

Of those considering or planning to change providers, 53.3% said they would consider staying if an option existed to pay for only the channels they watch, while 34.3% said they would consider staying if all video providers, including OTT services, were combined in one place. This, of course, speaks to the benefit of technologically advanced set-top boxes like those offered by Comcast’s X1 and TiVo.

Only 17.2% of respondents indicated that their cable/satellite providers offered personalized content recommendations, while 26.8% were unaware of whether their MVPD offered recommendations. TiVo cited this as a concern given that 40.7% of Netflix users cited suggested shows as an appealing feature. In addition, 65.2% of respondents answered they are frustrated “always” or “sometimes” when trying to find something to watch on TV.

Finally, of the 15.2% of respondents who do not have pay-TV service, 21.8% cut service within the past 12 months, a YOY increase of 4.4%.

The Daily

Subscribe
Friday–December 13

State of DEI: NAMIC, AIM Analyze Workforce Representation

At a time when investments in DEI efforts are being questioned, NAMIC is checking in to remind the industry of the tangible change these initiatives are making.

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Apr 16
Cablefax 100 Awards Nominations Open November 13th, 2024.
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB or hiring for one?
VIEW JOBS

In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors. The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact Carley Ashley, [email protected], for more information about posting a job on the website and our Jobs newsletter, sent twice weekly to 85,000 media professionals.