*Total survey sample size was 1,196. Data here refers only to those who selected each reason as a 'major' reason for watching cable news.
Question: Would you say each of the following is a major reason for why you watch cable news?
Citation formats
Reasons to watch cable news in the U.S. 2022, by age group
According to the results of a survey held in the United States in February 2022, the leading reason for watching cable news was precisely to watch the news, with 65 percent of respondents citing news as a major reason for tuning in. However, 18 percent of respondents played cable news on their television in order to have some background noise, and the survey showed that younger generations in particular were the most likely to do this.
Younger consumers were more inclined to tune in to cable news for entertainment or specific programs, whilst those aged 65 or above were the group most interested in specific personalities or news anchors.
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Morning Consult. (February 28, 2022). Main reason for watching cable news among adults in the United States as of February 2022, by age group [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 29, 2026, from /statistics/1308035/reasons-for-watching-cable-news-in-the-us/
Morning Consult. "Main reason for watching cable news among adults in the United States as of February 2022, by age group." Chart. February 28, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 29, 2026. /statistics/1308035/reasons-for-watching-cable-news-in-the-us/
Morning Consult. (2022). Main reason for watching cable news among adults in the United States as of February 2022, by age group. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 29, 2026. /statistics/1308035/reasons-for-watching-cable-news-in-the-us/
Morning Consult. "Main Reason for Watching Cable News among Adults in The United States as of February 2022, by Age Group." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 28 Feb 2022, /statistics/1308035/reasons-for-watching-cable-news-in-the-us/
Morning Consult, Main reason for watching cable news among adults in the United States as of February 2022, by age group ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/1308035/reasons-for-watching-cable-news-in-the-us/ (last visited July 29, 2026)
Main reason for watching cable news among adults in the United States as of February 2022, by age group [Graph], Morning Consult, February 28, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1308035/reasons-for-watching-cable-news-in-the-us/