Cable news is dying. Viewership is shrinking, subscribers are canceling, and younger audiences don’t even buy cable. But that doesn’t mean news is dying — it’s moving.
Why Cable News Is Fading
- Cord-cutting acceleration: Millions leave cable every year, and cable bundles are collapsing.
- Aging audience: Cable news skews older; younger viewers never signed up in the first place.
- Cost factor: Paying $80–$120 a month for cable makes less sense when streaming is free.
Enter Free Streaming News
- FAST channels (Free Ad-Supported TV): Think Pluto TV, Tubi, and Scripps’ offerings.
- Accessible everywhere: Smart TVs, apps, YouTube — not tied to a cable subscription.
- Ad-based model: Viewers pay with attention, not dollars. This opens the door to global reach.
Who’s Winning the Transition
- Scripps: Left cable entirely, betting on free streaming news and local talent.
- NewsNation: Building credibility by pulling audiences from YouTube and digital distribution.
- Local stations: Repurposing their content into 24/7 free streaming feeds.
Why It Matters
- Viewers gain control: No bundle, no cable contract, just content on demand.
- Advertisers shift: Dollars follow eyeballs — and eyeballs are streaming.
- Future of news: The real fight isn’t CNN vs. Fox anymore. It’s cable vs. streaming.
Key Takeaway
Cable news isn’t collapsing because people don’t want news — it’s collapsing because the distribution model is broken. The future of news is free, streaming, and everywhere.
