Video services far down “Cut list” yet significantly impacted by inflation

One-fourth of U.S. households downgraded or cancelled a subscription streaming video (SVOD) or pay-TV service due to the rising costs of consumer goods, services, and housing. This according to new research from Aluma Insights, a research consultancy focused on the home video value chain and consumer video behaviors.

The simplest actions used to counter inflation are also the most common. In response to the increased cost of living, 59% of U.S. heads-of-household dined out less often, while 53% reduced time spent driving. More than one-third minimized their use of home utilities (e.g., electric, gas, water), as did one-third their out-of-home entertainment experiences. Only 7% of decision-makers reduced mobile phone expenses, further validating its utility-like status. Even in the toughest of times, mobile phone service would likely be the last expense to give way.

One-in-five U.S. households downgraded or cancelled an SVOD service, as did one-in-six a pay-TV service. Decision-makers 25-44 years of age had the highest rates for both (28% for SVOD, 19% for pay-TV), while those 65 and older had the lowest rate (8% for SVOD, 11% for pay TV). Households making less than $30,000 a year were, of all income segments, most likely to have reduced both SVOD and pay-TV expenses (27% and 23% respectively).

“Domestic TV and video subscription growth was slowing before the recent wave of inflation,” said Michael Greeson, principal analyst at Aluma. “But the rising costs of consumer goods, services, and housing added fuel to the fire, placing even more pressure on consumers to reduce these expenses.” EIN Newswires