The thirteen largest multi-channel video providers in the US -- representing about 94% of the market -- lost about 105,000 net video subscribers in 2013 according to the latest data from Leichtman Research Group. According to the latest data from the firm, annual net multi-channel video additions in 2013 were about 280,000 fewer than in 2012, when the industry added about 175,000 subscribers.
While a small portion of this can be attributed to cord cutting, the majority of the movement in TV viewers is from cable to telco TV.
The top nine cable companies lost about 1,735,000 video subscribers in 2013 -- compared to a loss of about 1,410,000 subscribers in 2012. That's compared to the top telephone providers, who added 1,460,000 video subscribers in 2013 -- compared to 1,298,000 net additions in 2012. Satellite TV providers added 170,000 video subscribers in 2013 -- compared to 288,000 net additions in 2012.
"2013 was the first year for multi-channel video industry losses, but the modest losses represent only about 0.1% of all subscribers," said Bruce Leichtman. "While the overall market remains fairly flat, further share-shifting has taken place. Cable providers now have a 52% share of the top multi-channel video subscribers in the US, compared to a 58% share three years ago."