According to the AP, the weak economy is hitting Americans where they spend a lot of their free time: in front of the TV set. They’re cancelling cable and satellite TV subscriptions in record numbers.  I personally have downgraded my satellite plan, and know many who have done the same.  Motivation may be financial for some, having less desire to sit on the couch also leads to a more healthy, active lifestyle.  The last thing many people want to do once the nice weather arrives, is to spend significant amounts of time indoors, on the couch or easy chair.

In a tally conducted by The Associated Press, eight of the nine largest pay-TV providers in the U.S., which serve about 70 percent of households, lost 195,700 subscribers in the April-to-June quarter. That’s the first quarterly loss for the group.

Wider industry measures showed a loss of subscribers for the first time in last year’s second quarter. This year, they’re leaving faster.

The chief cause appears to be persistently high unemployment and a housing market that has many people living with their parents. But there are hints that some people are cancelling cable in favor of cheap Internet video.  Would it not be wonderful to finally turn the corner on being a TV culture, and see an up-tick in things like book reading, attendance at live performances and cultural events, support of the arts, and more community offerings?

What do you think?