Survey: Netflix Users Cut Their Pay TV Services

What does the newest survey say, and should Pay Television be worried?

Story by Matt Cummings

If the proof really is in the pudding, than the stuff that Netflix is serving its customers must be very satisfying. According to a recent survey, 92% of Netflix users expressed satisfaction with the streaming and DVD services, with 93% stating that they intend to have the service one year from now.

The survey also revealed less-than-rosy consumer feelings about Pay Television: although 67% answered that they have PT, approximately 9% said they plan on ending their service. Moreover, 16% expressed doubt that they would still have their PT by this time next year.

The survey compiled results from 829 Netflix subscribers and was conducted June 1-14 by the website www.cutcabletoday.com. Among other facts in their announcement:
1. Approximately 77% of respondents said they have their Internet, PT, and telephone "bundled" to save on cost.
2. Netflix users apparently also use other services to 'stitch together' an alternate collection of stations, including Amazon Prime Instant Video (47%), HBO Now (30%), and Hulu Plus (27%).
3. Respondents valued 'Content Quality' (95%) over 'Price' (90%) when it came to identifying desired aspects of any video service.

The survey's message? "As Netflix continues to offer its wide selection of TV shows and movies that people love (including its own growing series of Netflix Originals) at a low price, an increasing number of subscribers will see less of a need for expensive pay TV service, especially when they can add on other streaming services at a fraction of the cost."

Does that spell the end of Pay Television? Probably not, as they reply to these findings by showing the declines in live television viewing in general, and that the sheer number of stations offered in their packages equates to pennies per month per station. But cobbled together with other recent surveys, a sea change in viewers' habit is definitely happening. "Cable and satellite TV companies might still dominate the video landscape, but they’re fighting a battle that’s getting more difficult by the day," concluded Cut Cable.

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