Video streaming subscribers considering canceling due to strike in the U.S. 2023

According to a survey from July 2023, the share of subscribers in the United States considering canceling their subscriptions to Paramount+, Peacock, and Apple TV+ were the highest, with over 11 percent of respondents saying they might cancel based on their general satisfaction with these services. If original programming is significantly delayed as a result of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the churn rates could be even higher, at over 20 percent. However, Hulu is likely to be most impacted by production delays, as 15.3 percent of U.S. subscribers said they may cancel their subscription for this reason, a growth rate of 240 percent compared to the share of consumers who might cancel based on their satisfaction.

How will the strikes hit scripted TV content?

In May 2023, thousands of film and television writers in the U.S. went on strike to demand higher pay, fairer contracts, and an improvement of AI regulations in their industry. About two months later, Hollywood’s actors joined the strike pointing out similar issues. As a result of the labor disputes with the studios and streaming services, over half of scripted TV shows are predicted to be delayed or even canceled between September 2023 and April 2024.

What to watch when content is delayed?

While some consumers would cancel their streaming services and watch less video content in general if new productions were to be significantly delayed, there are other options to meet the viewers’ entertainment needs. Over 80 percent of U.S. respondents to a survey would watch TV series and movies they have already been meaning to watch. Looking for existing content that is not on the watch lists, rewatching TV shows and movies, viewing independent content creators, and consuming more unscripted content were further alternatives.