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Streaming Surpasses Broadcast and Cable TV Viewing in US for the First Time

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Streaming services have overtaken traditional broadcast and cable television in the United States, capturing a larger share of viewers in May than the two combined, according to Nielsen’s monthly report, The Gauge, released Tuesday.

In May, streaming accounted for 44.8% of total TV usage in the U.S., marking a significant milestone in the shift toward digital platforms. Leading the charge, YouTube alone held a 12.5% share of all television viewing, the highest for any streaming service.

Free ad-supported streaming services such as PlutoTV, Roku Channel, and Fox’s Tubi also gained traction, collectively attracting 5.7% of total TV viewers, Nielsen said.

In comparison, traditional broadcast TV accounted for 20% of viewership, while cable TV held 24% in May.

The rise of streaming, which accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as viewers sought home entertainment options, underscores a fundamental change in how audiences consume content. On-demand viewing is increasingly favored over scheduled programming, reshaping the media landscape and affecting both advertisers and content creators.

Google Sues LATAM Airlines in U.S. Over Brazilian YouTube Video Takedown Dispute

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Google filed a lawsuit against Chile-based LATAM Airlines on Thursday in a U.S. federal court, seeking a declaration that Brazilian courts cannot compel the company to remove a YouTube video from the U.S. platform. The video, posted by a U.S. resident, accuses a LATAM employee of sexually abusing a child.

The tech giant alleges that LATAM is attempting to bypass U.S. free speech protections by pursuing legal action in Brazil to force a global takedown of the video. Google argues that courts should only have jurisdiction over content accessible within their own countries.

The video in question was posted in 2018 by Raymond Moreira, a Florida resident, featuring his six-year-old son detailing abuse allegations involving a LATAM employee during a trip as an unaccompanied minor. Moreira previously sued LATAM in Florida, resulting in a confidential settlement.

LATAM initiated legal proceedings in Brazil in 2018 seeking removal of the video worldwide. A Brazilian appeals court is expected to decide soon whether it can order Google to remove the video globally.

Google’s case in California challenges this extraterritorial reach and asks the court to affirm that LATAM cannot enforce the Brazilian order in the U.S.

This lawsuit follows a similar legal battle involving U.S.-based social media companies Trump Media and Rumble, who contested a Brazilian judge’s order to remove certain accounts from their platforms in the U.S., with a federal judge ruling in favor of the companies’ U.S. free speech protections.

Russian Parliament Supports New State Messaging App to Rival WhatsApp and Telegram

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Russian lawmakers voted on Tuesday in favor of developing a government-backed messaging app aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The app will be closely integrated with state services, reflecting Moscow’s ongoing push for digital sovereignty.

Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the parliament’s information policy committee and author of the draft legislation, said the new platform will provide messaging, voice calls, and other features beyond those offered by Telegram and Meta’s WhatsApp. “The main competitive advantage of the platform will be the deep integration with government services,” Gorelkin wrote on Telegram.

The legislation still requires approval by the upper house of parliament and the signature of President Vladimir Putin to become law.

Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev recently proposed integrating government services with a national messaging app during a meeting with Putin, highlighting Russia’s lag behind other countries in this area. State-controlled tech firm VK, operator of the VKontakte social network used by nearly 80 million Russians daily, has been investing heavily in homegrown services like VK Video, a local alternative to YouTube.

VK reported a significant loss of 94.9 billion roubles ($1.21 billion) in 2024 amid efforts to expand content and improve technology.

Meanwhile, YouTube’s daily audience in Russia plunged from over 40 million users in mid-2024 to fewer than 10 million recently, partly due to slower download speeds. Russian officials blamed Google for neglecting investment in local infrastructure and not restoring blocked Russian channels. Google denied causing any technical issues.

Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Russian Internet Protection Society, warned on Telegram that the government might deliberately slow WhatsApp and Telegram to boost the new app’s adoption, raising concerns about potential infringements on personal freedoms.