Pictured is a coaxial cable. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — In 2025, the number of cable subscribers in Michigan fell by more than 120,000, and the number of customer complaints has gone up, according to the Public Service Commission.

The number of subscribers has dropped to about 1 million, a dramatic decrease in the total number of subscribers.

“Michigan’s decline in subscriptions is part of a nationwide trend as customers switch from video and cable services to internet streaming services,” the PSC said in a press release.

Mike Nowlin, the media contact for the Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association, said the “cable industry is impactful” to communities.

He also said the industry is putting a “ton of money” into franchise fees, about $80 million per year, as well as spending $5 million in the state to give to local governments.

Matt Helms, the PSC’s media contact, said the number of customer complaints in Michigan fluctuates by year and said that the commission is “hesitant to draw inferences” from one year’s numbers.

He said the PSC believes it is very likely that there will be a continuing decline in cable subscribers in 2026.

Professor Johannes Bauer is the director of the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Policy at Michigan State University’s Department of Media and Information.

Bauer said that people are “getting off cable” and consumers have more options with the increasing number of streaming services.

He said consumers are disgruntled with cable and “don’t necessarily sign off on cable.” They go to internet streaming services.

Bauer said that local broadcasting services and local radio stations are being ordered to “sign off from cable.”

He said that “cable companies, since the 1990s, have changed their business model” with the use of business access services, as well as cable programming services.

He said people don’t appreciate what cable is and that “subscribers lose the diversity cable” has brought to their lives if they cancel it.

“Cable is declining and may not be available,” he said.

The PSC reported that it received 1,751 customer complaints last year, a 117% increase over 2024.

“The most common complaint involved cable line issues, followed by billing charges and internet service problems,” the PSC said.

Bauer said customer complaints “cover a range of issues.”

“Some customers love cable,” but the prices of cable TV are high and some consumers simply can’t afford it and are forced to go to streaming services, Bauer said, adding that he doesn’t foresee cable becoming cheaper.