Observed Signal · Jul 15, 2026 · Survey · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Prime Video Tops Streaming Among Cord Cutters
A Cord Cutters News survey of more than 1,200 U.S. cord cutters finds Amazon Prime Video is the most-watched streaming service, with 67.5% of respondents reporting use in the past month. Netflix follows at 54.1%, Paramount+ at 51.7%, YouTube 47.6%, Peacock 43.1%, Hulu 40.9%, HBO Max 40.2%, Disney+ 39.7% and Apple TV+ 24.7%. Respondents often subscribe to multiple services—an average of three to five active subscriptions per household—and many cite Prime bundling, originals, and sports rights as drivers of Prime Video’s lead. The survey highlights trends important to the streaming and ad market: growing adoption of ad-supported tiers and FAST channels, bundling strategies, and continued migration away from linear pay-TV. Findings offer a snapshot of shifting viewing habits and implications for streaming distribution and ad inventory strategies.
Survey reveals platform usage shares among cord cutters and highlights ad-supported/FAST trends and bundling effects—relevant for CTV/streaming ad inventory and distribution strategies but not a platform policy or technical shift.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Survey polled more than 1,200 cord cutters.
- 67.5% of respondents reported watching Amazon Prime Video in the past month.
- 54.1% of respondents reported watching Netflix in the past month.
- The average cord-cutting household in the survey juggled between three and five active streaming subscriptions.
Connected Companies & Entities
11 Entities mapped“Bundled with Amazon Prime membership, the service offers convenience for millions already using the platform for shopping and shipping benef...”
“Netflix followed closely with 54.1 percent of participants indicating they watched the service....”
“Paramount+ secured the third spot at 51.7 percent, demonstrating strong growth in original programming and live sports offerings....”
“YouTube came in at 47.6 percent, appealing to users seeking free and user-generated content alongside premium options....”
“Peacock registered 43.1 percent, benefiting from its ties to NBCUniversal’s extensive library and live events....”
“Hulu attracted 40.9 percent of those surveyed, while HBO Max stood at 40.2 percent....”
“Please add Cord Cutters News as a source for your Google News feed HERE....”
“Hulu attracted 40.9 percent of those surveyed, while HBO Max stood at 40.2 percent....”
“Disney+ rounded out the major services with 39.7 percent, reflecting its family-friendly catalog and Marvel and Star Wars franchises....”
“Apple TV+ trailed further behind at 24.7 percent, positioning it as a niche player focused on high-quality originals rather than mass-market...”
“Hulu attracted 40.9 percent of those surveyed, while HBO Max stood at 40.2 percent....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Amazon Claims 315M Monthly Prime Video Ad Viewers
Amazon announced that its ad-supported Prime Video tier reaches 315 million monthly viewers, a figure the article says eclipses Netflix’s recently reported 190 million. The total is driven by Amazon making ads the default experience for Prime Video subscribers and by counting live sports and viewers of Freevee. Analyst estimates cited in the article suggest fewer than 5% of subscribers have paid to remove ads. The 315 million figure is self-reported and has not been independently verified by third-party measurement firms such as Nielsen. The report frames the move as part of a broader industry shift from chasing subscription growth to maximizing ad monetization and notes Amazon is rolling out AI-powered ad tools to improve targeting.
Streaming Made Up 48.6% of TV Viewing in May 2026
Nielsen's The Gauge reports that streaming accounted for 48.6% of all TV viewing in May 2026, exceeding combined cable (20.4%) and broadcast (19.2%). Nielsen's service-level breakdown shows YouTube at 13.8%, Netflix at 8.0%, Disney services at 4.9%, Prime Video at 4.5%, The Roku Channel at 3.1%, Tubi at 2.3%, Paramount services at 2.3%, Peacock at 1.8%, Warner Bros. Discovery services at 1.5%, and 6.6% from other services. Nielsen noted this was YouTube's highest monthly share and reported a month-over-month increase for Prime Video, which Nielsen attributes to events including The Boys finale, NBA and WNBA games, and two NASCAR races. Nielsen also said typical seasonal declines affected broadcast and cable viewing while sports drove a small uptick.
Ben Affleck's AI Knowledge Goes Viral
Ben Affleck, the actor who sold his AI filmmaking startup to Netflix for a reported $587 million, has gone viral for demonstrating deep understanding of AI technology in recent interviews. He discussed machine learning, neural networks, and even admitted to writing Python scripts. Affleck detailed his journey from analog to digital film, his use of AI in visual effects, and his creation of a proprietary dataset for ethical AI filmmaking. He also visited OpenAI and used his celebrity status to access emerging tech. Affleck addressed AI's potential, expressing concerns about its effect on education and learned helplessness rather than existential threats. He used AI in his movie 'Animals' and emphasized the additive nature of AI in filmmaking.
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