Do I watch too much TV and streaming?

How much TV and streaming is normal?

Americans watch an average of 31 hours of TV and streaming per week — that's nearly a full-time job. Younger adults watch less traditional TV but more streaming and YouTube.

Weekly viewing hours by age (Nielsen 2024)

• 18–29: 18 hours/week (mostly streaming + YouTube)
• 30–44: 25 hours/week
• 45–64: 35 hours/week
• 65+: 48 hours/week (nearly 7 hrs/day)

Streaming vs traditional TV split

• Streaming: 38% of total viewing time (and growing)
• Cable/satellite: 29% (declining)
• Broadcast: 21%
• Other (DVD, gaming monitors): 12%

The average person spends about 9 years of their life watching TV. That's more time than eating, socializing, and exercising combined.