Why Cable Subscriptions Really Declined For the First Time Ever [Cable]

For the first time since cable has existed, the number of subscriptions has fallen from one quarter to a higher. Have we finally found the mythical mass exodus to Hulu and Apple TV? I don’t think so. Here’s why.

The map above shows activity that came about between the first and second quarters of this year. Orange circles represent with net subscription declines in metro areas, green circles show net increases. Compare that to this heatmap from RealtyTrac that shows where the very best incidence of foreclosure in May of 2010:

It’s not a precise correlation in any way. However it’s close. And I’m rather more inclined to believe that cable’s one of several first things people sacrifice when times are tight than that everyone inside the Southeast suddenly bought a Boxee Box.

The real worry for cable companies is that as individuals are forced to drop cable, they’ll suddenly realize that they never deeded it first of all. It’s so easily replaced! So while the end graph isn’t the death of cable, it might probably be the vulture circling overhead. [ WSJ ]

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This post is tagged: cable companies, correlation, foreclosure, green circles, subscriptions