Providing Market Intelligence for 40 Years

In The News

Cutting the Cord

For many cable and satellite-viewers, the argument against cutting the cord centers on tuning into live sporting events. That, too, could be changing. The NBA’s new deal with ESPN and Turner Sports, which begins in 2016, establishes a framework for online-only, standalone streaming.

Although the dust is still settling, the landscape is shifting. According to Bloomberg, in 2013, the number of Americans subscribing to cable or satellite TV service declined for the first time, and a November 2014 report from the Leichtman Research Group says, “Over the past year, major pay-TV providers lost about 105,000 subscribers – compared to a loss of about 45,000 over the prior year.” Meanwhile, according to Experian Marketing Services, the number of cord-cutters has grown by 44 percent since 2010, and Parks Associates, a market research firm, says 10 percent of U.S. broadband households purchased a streaming media device in 2014 alone.

From the article "Cutting the Cord" by Dan Shafer.

Previously In The News

Smart thermostats are tough sell, but ComEd hopes rebates boost interest

A study released this month by Parks Associates found only 18 percent of consumers would buy a smart thermostat at $250, but offering a $100 rebate more than doubled the pool of interested buyers....

Deeper Dive—Who would buy DirecTV?

Although DirecTV is losing subscribers at a rapid pace, it’s not exactly a lost cause. Brett Sappington, senior research director and principal analyst at Parks Associates, said the satellite operator...

Sharing your TV streaming passwords? Cable companies won’t stop you—yet

Neither of these methods work particularly well, at least for the kind of casual sharing that’s pervasive among friends and family members. A survey earlier this year by Parks Associates found that 18...

Password sharing denies streaming services $9 billion in fees

According to analysis by research firm Parks Associates, password piracy and sharing cost streaming providers like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus $9.1 billion in 2019 alone. Why aren’t these companies...