Millennials Prefer Gaming Over TV: The New Entertainment Trend
According to the latest Deloitte survey, more young adults born between 1983 and 1996 are paying for video game services than for traditional cable or satellite TV. The shift is real, and it’s rewriting how we think about “entertainment” in the 21st century.
What the Numbers Say
- 53 % of millennials now subscribe to gaming services.
- 51 % of the same age group pay for TV.
- Last year’s figures: 44 % for gaming versus 52 % for TV.
In plain English, it’s a gaming boom, TV’s decline—a reversal that has everyone in the media industry putting on their thinking caps.
Why TV Is Sidelined
The old model—cable, satellite, or fiber—can’t keep up with the new‑wave of direct‑to‑consumer streaming. Think Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+, which let you hit pause at any time, skip the commercials, and watch whatever you like, whenever you want.
Gaming Takes the Spotlight
Video games, esports, and mobile play are now the cultural cornerstones. The rise of competitive professional leagues alongside casual “pick‑up” sessions on smartphones keeps fans glued to the screens.
- Subscriptions to World of Warcraft from Activision Blizzard.
- Riot Games—now part of Tencent—is moving League of Legends to the cloud for mobile players.
- Electronic Arts (EA) offers a suite of titles: FIFA 18, Madden NFL 19, The Sims 4, Star Wars Battlefront II, and more.
- Apple introduced Apple Arcade, a subscription service for fun and relaxing games.
- Google’s Stadia brings browser-based gaming straight to the cloud.
What Millennials Love About Games
Kevin Westcott from Deloitte highlights that players are choosing mobile gaming over reading, enjoying social connections and fan communities.
“Gaming companies are delivering more engaging content and ways to interact,” said Westcott. “And the lure of players spending spare time on their phones is stronger than ever.”
Industry Impact
The media industry face a crossroads: traditional TV’s future is uncertain, while video gaming grows ever larger. Fans, fans, fans—there’s a new audience waiting to be tapped.
So next time you brush past a streaming offer, remember: the next generation is already biting into the controller, and they’re not letting go.
