Cable channel subscribers grew for the first time in 8 years last quarter

After years of decline, cable channel subscribers increased for the first time in 8 years during Q3 2025, according to a report by MoffettNathanson. The report found that pay TV operators, including cable, satellite, and virtual multichannel video programming distributors (vMVPDs) like YouTube TV and Fubo, added 303,000 net subscribers. Sports and YouTube TV played significant roles in this growth, with YouTube TV estimated to have added 750,000 subscribers in Q3 2025.