Cable Cord Cutting Happening Now In a Big Way -- Here is the Data to Prove It

Well, the inevitable cutting of the cable cord by consumers is already happening now in a big way -- contrary to the entrenched parties -- according to leading global analyst firm Deloitte. In Deloitte's new study, "State of the Media Democracy," some of the juicy highlights include:

-- 9% of those surveyed have already cut the cord of their cable companies to provide them with premium video programming

-- 11% more are considering cutting the cord right now

-- 15% indicate they will be watching premium online video (motion pictures and TV) from online sources in the near-term

-- 42% have already streamed a movie from online services (as compared to 28% in 2009)

-- 14% now consider streaming movies to their computer or television as their favorite way to watch a movie (as compared to 4% in 2009)

-- only 19% have NOT viewed a movie from any source (including rental) over the past 6 months (as compared to 37% back in 2007) -- in other words GREATER DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS DOES LEAD TO GREATER CONSUMPTION! (Content owners, take note!)

-- 42% own smartphones (as compared with 25% in 2009)

-- 52% are considering purchasing smartphones now (compared with 40% in 2010).