There are several different ways people in the US (including California) watch TV, and the trend has shifted a lot in recent years. I’ll break it down by method, and note how things are changing.

Main Ways to Watch TV in the US / California

Broadcast / Over-the-Air TV

This is the traditional “free TV” where you use an antenna on your TV to pick up local channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, etc.).

In big cities (like Los Angeles), many people can get 100+ local channels via antenna for free. (Los Angeles Times)

Cable TV

Providers like Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, etc. deliver TV over cable lines. You pay a monthly subscription.

Cable bundles include local channels, news, sports, premium channels.

But cable subscriptions have declined in popularity due to cost and competition from streaming.

Satellite TV

Companies like DirecTV or Dish. Good especially for rural areas where cable is not an option.

You install a dish, pay a monthly fee.

Streaming Services / On-Demand / OTT

This is the fastest-growing way. People use Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max (or its newer name), etc.

Also live-TV streaming services (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV) that mimic cable but over the internet.

Free Streaming / Ad-Supported Streaming

Some services offer free content with ads, or partially free content. These are becoming more popular.

Also local channels and public channels sometimes stream their content for free online.

Trends & What’s Changing

Streaming has overtaken traditional broadcast + cable for many viewers. For example, recent US data shows streaming accounts for ~44.8% of TV usage, which is now more than cable + broadcast combined.

Cost, flexibility to watch anywhere, being able to rewind/replay, less dependence on schedule are big advantages.

Younger people especially prefer streaming and on-demand.

In California Specifically

Because CA has large urban areas, good broadband, etc., streaming is very popular.

People in cities often drop cable and rely on internet streaming, plus maybe an antenna for local channels.

Free over-the-air channels are still used, especially for local news, sports, weather, etc.