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Half of Consumers Consider Cutting the Cord, Admit to Liking Cable Companies Over Cockroaches and CongressRALEIGH, N.C., April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- New findings reveal that U.S. consumers overwhelmingly rate cable as the most unfavorable option for TV viewing. Mohu, creator of the paper-thin indoor HDTV antenna, today announced the results of a nationwide favorability poll, indicating high consumer discontent with the state of access to TV. Among the 1,236 U.S. consumers surveyed on their favorability toward cable, satellite and streaming TV services, half have an unfavorable opinion of cable TV companies and 38 percent view satellite TV companies unfavorably. Over-the-air (OTA) and over the top services (OTT) are the most favorable TV viewing options, with 44 percent having a favorable attitude toward using an antenna to watch TV, and OTT streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, receiving a 52 percent favorability rating. To put the favorability findings in context, the respondents were also asked about favorability toward Congress and cockroaches. Cable and satellite TV providers aren't quite as disliked in comparison as 91 percent of respondents have an unfavorable view on cockroaches and 72 percent have a negative view of Congress. While more than half of consumers (51 percent) admit that cable is the main way they watch TV at home, the majority (54 percent) have considered cutting the cord to get rid of cable or satellite. Pricing is a leading indicator driving consumer unfavorability toward cable and satellite services with nearly half (48 percent) paying more than $100 a month. In addition to pricing, the majority of consumers (40 percent) admitted that the main reason they have not gotten rid of their at-home cable service is because their cable is bundled with their Internet or phone service, indicating that most would-be cord cutters feel trapped by cable bundles. "With such an unfavorable view toward cable and satellite companies, it's clear that cable and satellite companies are out of touch with consumer demand," said Mohu CEO Mark Buff. "Americans are dissatisfied with cable and its high cost of viewing. This is a far cry from delivering a service thatfits the needs of today's savvy, digitally-oriented consumers." Additional survey findings also revealed:
"In today's polarized environment, it's rare to see Americans agree on anything – but this poll shows broad agreement across every demographic category and political affiliation – people are fed up with being locked into expensive cable TV packages and are looking for alternatives, both to save money and increase access to the entertainment content they desire," said Jim Williams, a polling analyst at Public Policy Polling. "Consumers now have many TV viewing options, and we expect many more consumers will flee cable and satellite TV subscriptions in favor of OTA and OTT options," said Buff. "Since cord cutting is a reality for millions of Americans, we're now seeing a David versus Goliath type battle between companies who are standing up to cable and fighting to break down the traditional walls of paid TV and locked set-top boxes for consumers. These companies are not only creating huge momentum for cord cutting, but also driving significant innovation within the TV industry and real change for consumers." About Mohu Survey Methodology Media Contact: To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/half-of-consumers-consider-cutting-the-cord-admit-to-liking-cable-companies-over-cockroaches-and-congress-300250466.html SOURCE Mohu |