Netflix continues to cling onto the #1 spot in 2020, according to the results of Toronto-based Solutions Research Group's 13th annual “Must Keep TV Report." The five largest networks considered the public’s “must-haves,” include Netflix, followed by ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Disney+ is a Top 10 ‘must keep’ TV network for the A18-34 target already, entering the charts in the #8 position.
The research is based on 1,400 interviews across the U.S. with consumers aged 12 and older and conducted in the 22-26 May of this year. Amazon Prime Video and Hulu are closely behind the networks, coming in at the #6 and #7 spots respectively. Top 10 for 18-34s include the 4 big streamers, 4 broadcast networks, ESPN, and The Cartoon Network.
Entering SRG’s ‘Must Keep TV’ charts in the #4 position in 2017 when it was first added to the list, Netflix is #1 for the fourth year in a row and now we are seeing the rise of the other streamers in the rankings for younger Americans. Prime Video is now #2 just behind Netflix, followed by Hulu, both up two spots from their positions last year.
Disney Plus was the big entry and the most significant momentum brand of the year, coming in at #13 among the total 12+ population, a higher entry position than Amazon Prime Video and Hulu which entered in #14 and #22 respectively in 2017 when they were added to the lists. The app entered the charts in the #13 position out of 79 brands, in less than a year after its launch.
Brands with positive momentum in this demo include ESPN, home of the very popular and talked-about documentary ‘The Last Dance,’ and The Cartoon Network. HBO exited the Top 10 for A18-34s after 7 years, suggesting declining brand momentum. Other brands moving in the wrong direction this year include CW and AMC. Brands declining in ‘Must Keep’ status this year included AMC, CW, and HBO. HBO exited the Top 10 for the first time since 2013 just before the launch of HBO Max.
Despite lack of live sports since March, ESPN remained the top cable brand on the charts (#8 overall, #1 cable channel on the rankings), followed by PBS (#9) and CNN (#10) as consumer turned to the news during the Covid-19 pandemic. Other brands on the rise this year include Discovery, Food Network, Cartoon Network, and FX. TLC and MSNBC also recorded significant gains in the rankers (MSNBC ranked #39, up from #46 and TLC ranked #29 up from #41).