US cable TV networks see 14 closures over five years amid cord‑cutting shift

Between 2021 and 2026, a total of 14 cable television networks in the United States ceased operations. The wave of shutdowns reflects broader industry shifts driven by the rise of streaming services, corporate restructuring, changing viewer habits, financial pressures and major sports conference realignments.

Notable closures include NBCSN in December 2021, Fusion TV and children’s network Qubo the same year, the Olympic Channel in September 2022, the revived gaming channel G4 and Black News Channel in 2022, and RT America in early 2022 after providers dropped the network amid geopolitical tensions. These closures illustrate how traditional linear television is losing ground to on‑demand platforms, prompting owners to consolidate programming or fold under‑performing channels.

The trend underscores the accelerating move toward flexible, internet‑based delivery models as viewers increasingly “cut the cord.”