Streaming Usage Set an All-Time Record in May, Tubi and Roku Hit Highs

Streaming as a means of TV consumption hit an all-time high in May by accounting for 38.8% of all viewing, Nielsen reported on Tuesday morning.

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The previous record for streaming as a share of TV viewing was 38.7%, set in July 2023 (the first month that broadcast and cable combined totaled less than 50%)..

May’s most-watched streaming title was Netflix’s Bridgerton ; the first four episodes of Season 3, which dropped on May 16, racked up more than 5.5 billion viewing minutes by month’s end.

Among streaming platforms, YouTube as is typical claimed the largest share of the pie, this month with 9.7%, followed by Netflix’s 7.6%. FAST platforms Tubi (with 1.8%) and The Roku Channel (1.5%) meanwhile hit highs, up 43% and 36% year-over-year.

Other May TV highlights, as reported by Nielsen’s latest edition of The Gauge:

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* Following two consecutive months of growth, cable viewing dipped 0.9% to claim 28.2% of overall TV usage.

* Broadcast TV was up just a tick with its finales-fueled May, to account for 22.3% of TV viewing.

* The month’s most-watched broadcast program was NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby on May 16, which drew 16 million viewers (up a million from 2023).

* CBS’ Young Sheldon series finale delivered 11.74 million total viewers, with Live+7 playback. What’s more, across broadcast, cable reruns and streaming, the hitcom in May racked up 6 billion viewing minutes that were evenly split between linear and streaming.

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