Streaming customers are significantly happier than cable customers

For years, consumers have been ditching cable subscriptions and switching to one or more streaming subscriptions instead. There’s no big secret behind it, according to the latest JD Power US Television Service Provider Satisfaction Study.

The survey found that streaming customers are significantly happier with their choice than cable or satellite TV customers. JD Power surveys assign industries a score on a 1,000-point scale. Overall satisfaction for live TV streamers is 625, compared to 524 for cable and satellite customers.

The biggest satisfaction difference between live TV streaming and cable and satellite (140 points) is value for money. The reported average monthly cost of live TV streaming is $75, while cable and satellite average $120.

“It’s clear that price was a primary driver of satisfaction, however satisfaction with streaming customers is higher than cable and satellite customers across all seven dimensions of the study,” said Carl Lepper, senior director of technology, media and telecom Intelligence at JD Performance.

“Live streaming has reorganized the industry and, as it has moved forward, cable and satellite providers have worked hard to remain competitive, including exploring new revenue models to withstand cost pressures.”

While Netflix and Prime offer plenty of original programming, traditional cable and satellite services face the toughest competition from streaming services, which offer some of the same programming as traditional services, according to JD Power.

The most satisfying streamers

YouTube TV leads the live TV streaming segment for the second year in a row with a score of 651. Hulu + Live TV 635 comes in second place with a score of 635.

Among cable providers, Spectrum ranks highest in the cable/satellite television segment – ​​nationally, with a score of 530. Xfinity was close behind with a score of 529.

Verizon Fios ranks first in the Cable/Satellite TV East region for the third consecutive year with a score of 570. DIRECTV comes in second with a score of 520.

Xfinity ranks highest in the Cable/Satellite TV – North Central region with a score of 528. Spectrum takes second place.

Xfinity ranks highest in the Cable/Satellite TV – South region with a score of 570. COX Communications is second with a score of 547 and Spectrum is third.

Spectrum ranks highest in the Cable/Satellite TV West region with a score of 534. Xfinity is in second place with a score of 517 and DISH is in third place.

Kathryn, from Raleigh, NC, says she spends about $48 a month subscribing to six streaming channels instead of cable. When it comes to satisfaction, Kathryn’s complaint with Hulu is all about the commercials.

“Even their most expensive plan includes advertising,” Kathryn wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “It’s way behind Netflix. I have their expensive plan and never see a commercial. And they offer better movies and series and much more than Hulu.”