TV Broadcasting NAICS 516120
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Industry Summary
The 712 television broadcasters in the US operate studios and facilities for the programming and transmission of TV programs to the public. Firms may also produce or transmit programming to affiliated television stations, which broadcast programs to the public. They generate revenue primarily through advertising sales, which include on-air and digital media.
Cyclical and Seasonal Sales
Advertising sales, which are the main source of revenue for television broadcasters, are seasonal and cyclical and driven by political campaigns and major events, such as the Super Bowl.
Competition from Alternative Media
Television broadcasters compete for advertising revenue with a variety of alternative media, including newspapers, magazines, outdoor ads, direct mail, multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD), over-the-top video distributors (OTTD), and online media (Google, Facebook).
Recent Developments
Jan 10, 2026 - Streaming Video Services Increase Prices
- Streaming video prices increased nearly 20% month over month in December 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is a category that includes subscription streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+. TV broadcasting firms may benefit if viewers cancel some streaming services and watch more broadcast TV. The December Consumer Price Index, showed modest inflation of 0.3% month over month and 2.7% year over year. Some of the biggest streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max, all launched price increases in late 2025. Peacock and Netflix both raised prices earlier in the year.
- Local news consumption is moving from broadcast technology to personalized, on-demand, over-the-top streaming, according to audience insights and data and analytics firm Nielsen. Local news apps on platforms like Roku, Samsung, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV are becoming a primary source of news and information, particularly for younger, “cord-cutting” audiences. Over half of US adults now get news through digital platforms like websites, apps, and social media, according to Nielsen.
- Streaming has surpassed broadcast and cable as a share of total television viewing, according to audience measurement firm Nielsen. Streaming accounted for 44.8% of viewership in May, while broadcast (20.1%) and cable (24.1%) together represented 44.2% of viewership. YouTube had four straight months of TV share increase through May, Nielsen said. The platform, owned by Google and its parent company, Alphabet, boasted the highest share of TV consumption among all streamers in May, with a 12.5% share. Netflix, Disney-owned platforms including ESPN and Hulu, Amazon's Prime Video, and the Roku Channel were also in the top five. The three largest FAST (free ad-supported) channels — Paramount's Pluto TV, the Roku Channel and Fox's Tubi — combined for 5.7% of total TV viewing in May, more than any individual broadcast network.
- TV broadcasting industry employment and average wages for nonsupervisory employees increased slightly during the first eight months of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). TV broadcasting industry revenue decreased 0.3% year over year and 4.9% quarter over quarter during the second quarter of 2025, according to the US Census Bureau. TV broadcasters significantly decreased their prices during the first eight months of 2025, according to the BLS. Television broadcasters generate revenue primarily through advertising sales, which include on-air and digital media.
Industry Revenue
TV Broadcasting
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
The average television broadcaster employs about 206 workers and generates about $104.5 million annually.
- The television broadcasting industry consists of about 712 firms that employ about 147,000 workers and generate $74 billion annually.
- The industry is highly concentrated; the top 20 companies account for about 91% of industry revenue.
- Large firms include Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar (Tribune Media Group). The major television broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW) also own and operate local television stations, primarily in major media markets. Major media companies, such as Gannett and Hearst, also own stations that operate as network affiliates.
- About 1,760 television broadcast stations exist in the US, including almost 400 educational stations, according to the FCC.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
TV Broadcasting Industry Growth
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