Streaming Reaches Record 48.6% of U.S. TV Time as YouTube Tops All Distributors
Nielsen's May 2026 Gauge shows streaming captured 48.6% of total U.S. TV usage, up 3.8 points from May 2025 and now outpacing broadcast and cable combined by roughly 9 percentage points. YouTube set a new distributor-level record at 13.8% of all TV watch-time, surpassing every individual broadcast network, while Prime Video and Peacock each posted 32% year-over-year gains. The figures were compiled under Nielsen's original methodology, as the disputed DASH panel update remains deferred until the fall 2026 TV season.