Number of Michigan cable providers, subscribers continues to decline in 2025

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Michigan saw the number of video and cable television providers decrease by one to 28 in 2025, and the number of subscribers to the services fell by more than 120,000, continuing a long-term decline, the Michigan Public Service Commission's annual Status of Competition for Video Services report found.

Providers reported 980,543 video and cable customers in Michigan in 2025, a decline from 1,100,636 the year before and the fourth consecutive year of drops after a one-time bump in subscriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Aside from the COVID-era increase, the number of subscribers has been on a steady decline since peaking at 2.3 million in 2015. Michigan's decline in subscriptions is part of a nationwide trend as customers switch from video and cable services to internet streaming services.

The number of franchise agreements between video and cable providers and municipalities decreased to 2,270 in 2025, down slightly from 2,274 in 2024.

The MPSC compiles its video and cable report using responses from video and cable television providers, as well as franchise entities, to its annual surveys. The report, now in its 18^th year, is submitted by Feb. 1 each year to the Governor and Legislature. The report does not include satellite TV providers, which do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act.

Part of the MPSC's work is to resolve disputes between customers, municipalities and video and cable television service providers. The MPSC received 1,751 customer complaints in 2025, an increase of 117% from 808 customer complaints in 2024. The most common complaint involved cable line issues, followed by billing charges and internet service problems.

A complaint form is available at the MPSC's Video/Cable webpage, which also lists contact information for service providers in Michigan and consumer tips.

The MPSC serves as an expert, impartial regulator committed to consumer protection, fairness and transparency. For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs. Follow the MPSC on Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

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