New research suggests nearly a third of all U.S. consumers 'binge-watch' streaming video at least once a week, and millennials not only stream more video than any other demographic, they also do as many four other things at the same time. More people “binge-watch” online video, stream digital music and “cut the cord” today than ever before, as technology continues to reshape the consumption of digital media. Perhaps unsurprisingly, millennials, or adults born between 1981 and 1996, are driving this shift. Recent research from Deloitte indicates that nearly half of the U.S. population subscribes to at least one streaming service, and both teenagers and the youngest millennials now spend more time watching streaming video online than live TV. Americans also watch streaming video in really big chunks; nearly a third of the consumers surveyed said they binge watch, or view three or more episodes in one sitting, at least once a week. And when consumers binge, they frequently watch as many as five episodes at a time. This number applies to most age groups, with the exception of people over 69, who Deloitte tactfully labeled “matures” and who binge watch much less frequently. Multitasking while binge-watching While Americans binge, they do much more than simply enjoy the programs in front of them; they multitask like crazy. According to Deloitte’s research, 92 percent of consumers multitask while watching TV, and millennials often do four additional activities as they stream. Despite all this streaming, the move away from traditional paid TV is ongoing. Deloitte predicts that only 1 percent of TV subscribers will cut the cord completely and move strictly to streaming this year. That number will increase slowly to 1.5 percent next year, and to about 2 percent in 2018, Deloitte says. So instead of cord cutting, it appears that many consumers are engaged in cord shaving, or cutting back on paid TV subscriptions while adding streaming alternatives. Rise of the ‘cord nevers,’ downfall of music downloads Another group should disturb traditional TV providers even more: the so-called “cord nevers,” who don’t subscribe to paid TV service at all. A survey referenced by Deloitte put the number of cord nevers at 11 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34. In other words, the millennials. The number of people who make up older generations, who are more loyal to paid TV, will inevitably decrease, so the future of traditional TV doesn’t look terribly bright. It also turns out that digital music downloads are going the way of the CD. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reports that streaming music now accounts for more revenue than any other music format. In 2015, streaming music revenue surpassed download revenue for the first time, and both digital formats dwarfed physical media, according to RIAA. Related content opinion Consumers love to hate the companies that deliver pay TV and broadband A survey of thousands of consumers shows that a lack of competition and u201cabysmalu201d customer service make cable companies and ISPs the most disliked industries in the country. By Bill Snyder May 24, 2017 3 mins Broadband Consumer Electronics opinion Get ready to say goodbye to T-Mobile A Japanese conglomerate wants to buy T-Mobile and merge it with Sprint. What a disaster for consumers that will be. By Bill Snyder May 12, 2017 4 mins Small and Medium Business Consumer Electronics Mobile opinion Cunning hack attacks built-in Windows anti-malware software Quick action by Google and Microsoft appears to have put out the fire. But itu2019s another reminder that running old versions of Windows can be dangerous. By Bill Snyder May 10, 2017 2 mins Small and Medium Business Malware Windows Security opinion How to survive a move when your ISP can’t go with you Moving is a huge hassle, but hereu2019s a two-step solution that will keep you connected to the Internet without busting your budget. By Bill Snyder May 05, 2017 4 mins Internet Consumer Electronics Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe