May 2025 has been a pivotal moment in the entertainment industry as streaming hit a new high. According to Deadline, the total viewing of broadcast and cable TV this year according to the Nelson’s list have been surpassed for the very first time.This isn’t just a new high for streaming; it’s a seismic shift that reshapes the entertainment landscape and signals a definitive change in consumer habits.

According to Deadline, 44.8% of viewership via TV screens came from streaming alone, while on the other hand the combined efforts of broadcast and cable tv reached 44.2% of overall tune-in. Additionally, three fast services that have reached the threshold are Pluto TV, Roku Channel and Tubi with a total combined percentage of 5.7

Nielsen summed up in an interview with Deadline regarding the surprising outcome, “While the milestone of streaming exceeding traditional TV viewership is almost certainly not permanent, it presumably will be in the near future. This trend could continue into the summer months, but the balance will likely shift back – at least temporarily – as football kicks off and a new broadcast season returns.”

According to Deadline, Nielsen has charted May’s current progress with streaming in first, followed by cable and then broadcast, with the most used streaming platform being YouTube with 12.5%. The change is a surprising turn of events, as Netflix is usually on top due to its vast amount of content to look through, but now takes second place with a 7.5%. These scores will show the individual companies on what needs to be improved in order to raise their score for the next time.

This shift doesn’t mean the end for traditional television, but will surely usher in a new era as technology is constantly evolving. In the future, new streaming services will emerge, continuing the surge and solidifying its position as the preferred method of consuming entertainment for the majority.