For the first time, broadcast television has officially fallen below 20% of total TV viewing in the U.S., according to a recent industry report. The milestone highlights a major shift in how Americans consume media, with streaming services now firmly dominating the entertainment landscape.
NBC Palm Springs contributors Chauncey Thompson and Tammy Bleck joined Fred Roggin to weigh in on what this trend means for viewers — and for broadcast news itself.
“I see it happening. I think we all do,” Thompson said. “But I have to tell you, I’m tired of looking at a bank statement and seeing all these different outlets. I wish we could go back to the ’90s when cable companies let you opt in or out for things like HBO or Showtime. I prefer my basic cable television networks. I like watching my shows weekly.”
Bleck agreed the change feels inevitable but believes it also marks the end of an era.
“It’s bound to happen, but I think as the statistics show us, it already has,” she said. “By the time we sit down and watch our news in the evening, we’ve heard it 16 times from our phone and from our computer. So it’s really not worth it.”
She also pointed out how advertising models are evolving:
“TV used to be free because they had advertisers. But now we DVR everything and fast-forward the commercials. So where’s the profit?”
Roggin lightheartedly reminded viewers of one exception:
“You may DVR and you may fast-forward the commercials. But I know when you DVR this show, you watch every commercial from every one of our sponsors and every one of our partners. It’s probably the only show on TV where you’ll watch the commercials!”
Industry analysts say the rise of streaming has been accelerated by platforms offering more flexible, on-demand viewing experiences, giving consumers the ability to watch what they want, when they want.
While streaming shows no signs of slowing down, some experts believe local news could remain an exception, especially in smaller markets where viewers still value community-focused reporting and live event coverage.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: Fred Roggin
July 15, 2025
