Michigan cutting the cord at record rates, as cable subscribers fall below 1M

Michigan cable subscriptions declined again in 2025, dropping below 1 million
The decrease is part of a longtime pattern and comes as many are sounding alarms about increases in costs of streaming services
Researchers warn cable loss could limit information access for vulnerable communities

Streaming services continue to erode the popularity of cable television in Michigan, where subscribers fell below 1 million in 2025 for the first time since state officials began keeping records.

A report released this week by the Michigan Public Service Commission found that 980,543 video and cable customers remain, down about 120,000 from the previous year.

Ten years ago, there were more than 2 million subscribers in Michigan. In the past five years, the number has plunged 40%.

The steady decline in cable subscriptions is raising concerns among researchers who say traditional television remains a critical source of information for local news, emergency alerts and public information.

“Not everybody has access to programming through broadband or access through the internet,” said Carrie Leach, assistant research professor at Wayne State University.

“Old-fashioned television is still an important source of information for people who can’t access information through very common outlets like the internet.”

Streaming is a far more popular option for younger people, especially among people aged 30-49, 92% of whom use streaming services compared to 65% of adults older than 65, according to data from Pew Research Center.

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More than 80% of Americans now use streaming platforms compared to 36% of Americans who don’t, according to Pew Research Center.

Leach said gaps are often tied to income, age and geography, leaving some residents with few alternatives if cable access disappears.

“I have never imagined cable ceasing to exist. I can’t even fathom what that means.”

The exodus from cable comes as providers raise prices to offset shrinking customer bases. Last year, the average monthly cable or satellite bundle nationwide was $188, up nearly $10 from 2024, according to JD Power.

At the same time, streaming costs are also rising — up 29% from December 2024 to December 2025, far outpacing inflation, according to federal data.

As of last fall, the average family spent $70 per month on streaming services, according to consulting firm Deloitte. Add in an average of $83 a month for internet to stream shows and the gap between cable and streaming costs narrows.

While the state report does not identify a definitive reason for the decline in cable subscriptions, streaming services no doubt are a factor, said Matt Helms, a spokesperson for the Michigan Public Service Commission.