The streaming revolution just hit its biggest milestone yet. For the first time in television history, Americans watched more content on streaming platforms than traditional cable and broadcast TV combined during May 2025.

The Numbers That Made History

Streaming services captured a record-breaking 44.8% of all TV viewership in May, while cable (24.1%) and broadcast (20.1%) together managed just 44.2%. This razor-thin victory marks a seismic shift in how Americans consume entertainment.

"It's fitting that this inflection point coincides with the four-year anniversary of Nielsen's The Gauge, which has become the gold standard for streaming TV measurement," said Nielsen CEO Karthik Rao.

YouTube Leads the Charge

The real surprise? YouTube dominated with 12.5% of total TV usage - the highest share ever recorded by any streaming service in Nielsen's tracking history. This free platform alone nearly matched broadcast TV's entire 20.1% share, proving that viewers are gravitating toward accessible, on-demand content.

Netflix followed in second place with 7.5%, while Disney's combined platforms (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) captured 5%.

The Four-Year Transformation

Since Nielsen began tracking this data in 2021, the shift has been dramatic. Streaming viewership has surged 71%, while cable plummeted 39% and broadcast declined 21%. Even more telling: free ad-supported streaming services like Pluto TV, Roku Channel, and Tubi now collectively attract 5.7% of viewers - more than any single broadcast network.

What's Driving This Change?

Surprisingly, it's not just young viewers fueling this transformation. Baby Boomers (65+) have become streaming's fastest-growing demographic, with their YouTube viewing time jumping 106% compared to May 2023. This older audience now watches YouTube as much as children under 11 - a demographic traditionally glued to screens.

The Reality Check

Before cord-cutters celebrate too hard, Nielsen warns this milestone "almost certainly" isn't permanent. The balance will likely shift back temporarily when football season returns and new broadcast shows premiere.

Still, this historic moment signals streaming's undeniable dominance in reshaping how Americans watch TV. The question isn't whether streaming will continue growing - it's how traditional networks will adapt to survive in this new landscape.

The streaming wars just declared a winner, and it's the viewers who benefit most.