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Cable Providers in the US Industry Data and Analysis
Cable providers disseminate subscription video content from cable networks to consumers over wired telecommunications networks. In addition to video programming, these enterprises usually offer high-speed internet access and digital voice telephony services. These other services are frequently bundled in a single package with industry-relevant video services. Although these services are excluded from cable providers' industry revenue, demand for them affects industry sales. In recent years, the industry has experienced significant upheaval, grappling with challenges that have reshaped its market dynamics. The prominence of streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube TV has led to a seismic shift in how consumers access content, contributing to a sharp drop in cable TV subscriptions. As more consumers "cut the cord," demand for traditional cable services has waned. Industry revenue is estimated to decline at a CAGR of 6.7% to $83.6 billion, including a dip of 1.1% in 2025. The average industry profit, measured as earnings before interest and taxes, has outperformed revenue, thanks to cost-cutting measures, reaching 11.9% in 2025.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Cable Providers industry in the United States includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2015-2030. The most recent publication was released December 2025.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Cable Providers industry in the United States operates under the NAICS industry code 51711a. This industry consists of companies that operate wired, third-party distribution systems for broadcast programming. These operators deliver TV programming received from cable networks or local TV stations to consumers via cable infrastructure on a subscription basis. Cable providers also offer internet access and internet protocol telephony services, usually as a package bundled with a cable TV subscription. This industry excludes telecommunications carriers. Related terms covered in the Cable Providers industry in the United States include basic cable, bundled services, high-definition (hd) and customer churn.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Cable Providers industry in the United States include Basic programming packages, Premium programming packages and Pay-per-view programming.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Cable Providers industry in the United States include Comcast Corporation, Charter Communications, Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Cable Providers industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Cable Providers industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Cable Providers industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Cable Providers industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Cable Providers industry in the United States. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Cable Providers industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Cable Providers industry in the United States. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Cable Providers industry in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Cable Providers industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Cable Providers industry in the United States is $83.6bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Cable Providers industry in the United States in 2025?
There are 4,567 businesses in the Cable Providers industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Cable Providers industry in the United States?
The Cable Providers industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Cable Providers industry in the United States?
The Cable Providers industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Cable Providers industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Cable Providers industry in the United States has been declining at a CAGR of 6.7 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Cable Providers industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Cable Providers industry in the United States is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Cable Providers industry in the United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Cable Providers industry in the United States are Comcast Corporation, Charter Communications, Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.
What does the Cable Providers industry in the United States include?
Basic programming packages and Premium programming packages are part of the Cable Providers industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Cable Providers industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Cable Providers industry in the United States is Comcast Corporation.
How competitive is the Cable Providers industry in the United States?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Cable Providers industry in the United States.
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