Why is television viewership declining? Why are more people deciding to cancel cable subscriptions? The answer is simple. It is because of the Internet.

As internet streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, continue to develop newer features and bring in more customers, cable subscriptions are slowly on the decline. Around 6 in 10 young adults in America use online streaming to watch television and the numbers continue to rise.

Not only are streaming services creating this decline, but social media sites like Twitter and Instagram are also huge factors. Now people do not have to watch television in order to learn about what is happening in the world. By pressing a few buttons on a phone, each person can access the news at a much faster rate rather than waiting for it to appear on the television. Around 78% of people under the age of 50 retrieve at least some news from social media.

Some people also prefer to wait until their favorite shows appear on streaming websites because this allows them to binge-watch. Rather than having to watch one episode and then wait an entire week for a new episode, if people just wait for their favorite shows to appear on websites like Hulu, they can watch their shows whenever they want.

Streaming services are also a cheaper way for people to view television shows, which is why many young consumers prefer streaming. Around 40% of younger consumers have stated that the reason for purchasing these streaming services is due to their less expensive prices, which is a great option for young adults that are now living on their own.

One of the biggest reasons for the continued increase in streaming, which is often overlooked, is the fact that online streaming websites have provided more programming that caters to young adults. New series like “Riverdale,” and “13 Reasons Why,” are only shown on apps like Netflix, which is why these apps are winning over younger viewers. When young adults decide to leave the home, around 56% plan to subscribe to cable television, but around 86% plan to purchase Netflix subscriptions.

I cannot forget to mention the most popular streaming app to date, YouTube. With the increase in YouTube movies and series like “The Thinning,” and “Bad Internet,” once again, these streaming apps are stealing younger viewers.

Additionally, due to the huge increase in internet stars like Amanda Cerny, Logan Paul, DeStorm, and King Bach, younger viewers would much rather watch their videos than new shows on television. Today,

YouTube is the most viewed video-platform among younger viewers, in which around 85% of them visit the site regularly. A lot of viewers stated that another popular reason that people visit these sites is that they serve as stress relievers, and get rid of boredom. Whatever the reason may be for using these sites, the internet is still reaping the benefits.

If cable providers want to continue to thrive and succeed in the future, they will need to find a better way to cater to younger audiences. Maybe adding a few new television shows for young adults will do the trick, but only time will tell.