Linear TV Networks Lost 35% Of Reach From 2014 To 2024

TV remains a dominant force of culture, entertainment and advertising. But that doesn't mean that linear networks have the same enormous reach they used to. TripleLift's recent report, 100 Years Of Television, details TV's major innovations over time, growth and then its recent transformation with the emergence of streaming and its own resulting expansion.

• Also included is a look at the progressive loss of reach for linear TV networks over the last 10 years, with research from MoffattNathanson and Nielsen indicating a 35% decline across all networks from 2014-24.
• Some networks saw greater declines than others, however: FX (largely cannibalized by fellow Disney property Hulu at this point) dropped by 71%, and USA Network dipped by 63%.
• Networks like Fox News (down 35%) and ESPN (36%) saw smaller drops – relative to the entire TV ecosystem – given the perceived importance of those networks to their respective core audiences.
• While Big 4 broadcast networks were not immune to these decreases, those networks were still able to maintain larger footprints than cable, with ABC keeping 46% reach, CBS and NBC at 41%, and Fox at 34%.

Check out the full report here, along with the data around TV network declines below.