Current Events in October 2019

American Honda Motor Company is recalling 336,468 model year 2019 CR-Vs.

The owner's manual incorrectly describes when the "Passenger Airbag Off" indicator should illuminate.

A front passenger who does not correctly understand how the airbag functions may be at an increased risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.

What to do

Honda will notify owners and provide a sticker with the correct information to be added to the owner's manual free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 15, 2019.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6G.

Jumbo Foods of Mukilteo, Wash., is recalling Tuscan Sun (TS) brand chicken salad sandwiches.

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported.

The following products, distributed to food service and retail stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Virginia and Washington between March 11, 2019, and September 27, 2019, are being recalled:

The frozen sandwiches have no sell by or use by date printed on packages and have 8 months shelf life. They will be thawed, and the expiry dates are applied at stores.

The refrigerated sandwiches distributed have 28 days shelf life and the sell by or use by date stickers on packages.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled recalled products should not consume them, but discard or return them to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions naycall Jumbo Foods at (800) 562-6507 from 8:15 am – 4:30 pm, (PST) Monday through Friday.

The United Auto Workers union (UAW), which is already engaged in a walkout against General Motors, has called a strike against Mack Truck facilities in three states, idling 3,600 workers.

“UAW members get up every day and put in long, hard hours of work from designing to building Mack trucks,” said Ray Curry, Secretary-Treasurer of the UAW and director of the Heavy Truck Department. “UAW members carry on their shoulders the profits of Mack and they are simply asking for dignity, fair pay and job protections.”

The union says that in addition to seeking higher wagers, its members want better job security, cost of living increases, wage progression, skilled trades, shift premium, holiday schedules, improvements in health and safety, seniority protections, and improvements in retirement benefits, healthcare, and prescription drug coverage.

“Based on our strong past relationship with the Mack Truck group, we are confident that further discussion of these, and other open issues, will result in progress toward the goal of a contract that works for both the Company and its UAW members,” said Curry. “But the fact remains, that our members are united in standing together to strike until Mack agrees to resolve these significant issues.”

Union officials contend the union has made numerous concessions in recent years that have resulted in the company’s “significant” profit.

The strike affects:

• Local 677 Allentown, Pa.

• Local 677 Middletown, Pa.

• Local 171 Hagerstown, Md.

• Local 1247 Hagerstown, Md.

• Local 2301 Baltimore, Md.

• Local 2420 Jacksonville, Fla.

The UAW remains on strike against 55 GM locations in 10 states, keeping nearly 46,000 workers off the job. The strike began on September 15. According to the Detroit News, talks are reportedly making progress.

Google has banned payday loan apps that use “deceptive or harmful” tactics from its Play Store, the Wall Street Journal reports. 

A spokesperson for Google told the publication that the policy change was implemented with the aim of protecting users from “deceptive and exploitative personal-loan terms,” where annual percentage rates are 36 percent or higher. 

Apple told the Journal that it hasn’t yet imposed a similar ban. However, the tech giant said it regularly reviews its App Store rules to “address new or emerging issues.” 

Lenders affected by Google’s policy change -- which went into effect in August -- argue that the ban hurts “legitimate operators,” as well as users looking for “legal loans.” 

Online Lenders Alliance CEO Mary Jackson contended in the report that her firm’s practices are still legal. She said lenders would either have to cut their rates or exit the business altogether as a result of the change.

Reacting to a finding drawn from a recent study involving mice, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said he’s “skeptical that nicotine causes cancer.” 

“It might be a tumor promoter, [researchers] have said that there’s a potential that nicotine is a tumor promoter, but it doesn’t cause cancer,” Gottlieb said Monday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” 

Though skeptical of the claim that nicotine is carcinogenic, Gottlieb -- who stepped down from his position as FDA Commissioner in April -- said he did believe inhaling e-cigarette vapor would likely cause damage to the lungs.

“We had a signal when I was at the FDA of damage that vaping was causing to the lungs in an animal study,” Gottlieb told CNBC, adding that the results of the FDA study should be released soon. “You can’t inhale something into the lungs that way on a repeated basis and not cause some damage to the lung.”

Dangers of vaping

Last week, a New York University study found that e-cigarette vapor containing nicotine causes lung cancer and precancerous lesions on the bladder of mice. Researchers said 22 percent of the 40 mice involved in the study developed lung cancer. 

In light of the study’s findings, the researchers asserted that vaping is likely harmful to humans as well. Gottlieb, however, pointed out that the study was small and “isolated the effects of nicotine,” according to CNBC. 

The health impact of vaping is currently being studied extensively as health officials continue to report more cases of a lung illness linked to vaping. 

Last week, the CDC updated the official toll of lung illnesses and deaths linked to e-cigarette use. The death toll had risen to 26, and the number of vaping-related lung illnesses had been raised to 1,299.

Travelers are always looking for a little advantage -- free checked baggage, a perk their rewards card will afford them, or a discounted fare -- anything that will make them feel like they got some sort of “deal.”

For seniors (65+) who fly Southwest Airlines, one of those perks is going away.

For what seems like forever, Southwest has offered seniors a special rate. As an example, when ConsumerAffairs ran a test reservation on Southwest.com, flying from Chicago Midway to Boston Logan, a senior might expect to pay $332 versus Southwest’s “Anytime” fare of $441 -- a 28 percent discount. 

For being a “budget” airline, senior travelers seemed to appreciate the little edge they received. 

“Their fares are the best considering the quality of service,” said Richard of Apollo Beach, FL, in a review on ConsumerAffairs. “I use their Senior fares if I cannot lock on to the Wanna Get Away fares.”

But, Southwest’s Senior fares are going the way of the airline’s peanuts. In other words, bye-bye.

Why is Southwest doing this?

ConsumerAffairs asked Southwest’s press office how the airline came to this decision. Here’s what the airline’s Ro Hawthorne had to say:

“After careful evaluation of the overall fare product, we’ve made the decision to sunset the Senior Fare option. Many of the same benefits that come with the Senior Fare product are just as easily achieved with Wanna Get Away fares including everyday low fares and reusable funds should a Customer cancel their trip. Additionally, Customers may sign up for Click n' Save or shop with our Low Fare Calendar for more low-fare options and fare sales,” Hawthorne said.

When asked whether too many seniors were taking advantage of its offer, Southwest’s answer shifted to the other offers it still has on the table.

“As you know, we don’t go into specific details regarding fare sales, but we can share Customers will continue to have great fare options through Wanna Get Away, Anytime and Business Select,” the company said.

How big of a deal is this?

Southwest fliers aren’t exactly up in arms about the change, mostly taking it in stride alongside all the other nuanced changes airlines have made over the last few years. 

“I don't really see how this is too big of a deal,” one Reddit user commented. “From my understanding, the senior fare was just a discount from the Anytime fare, so the “Wanna Get Away” fare was still cheaper. Additionally, there weren't even Senior fares on every flight, anyways.”

That’s actually a good point. When ConsumerAffairs took a second look at Southwest’s “Wanna Get Away” fare on that same Chicago-Boston route, some flights could be had for nearly $180 less than a Senior fare.

“Because there are lots of flight sales and deals floating around these days, it’s possible that a senior discount doesn’t represent the very best price for your flight,” is Skyscanner’s Danielle E. Owen’s take. “For example: imagine the senior discount offered is 5% off the ticket price. But the airline is also offering a 25% discount on a limited number of seats for that flight. It’d be much better to buy a seat in the flight sale than it would be to claim your senior discount, right?” 

It’s too early to know whether Southwest’s move will be dittoed by other airlines. As of now, both American and United still has their Senior programs in place.

Social Security recipients will see their monthly benefits grow by 1.6 percent in 2020 to reflect the change in the official inflation rate.

The Social Security Administration said the increase will be made starting in the January 2020 payments to nearly 63 million Americans. An increase in payments made to more than 8 million Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2019. 

The annual cost of living increase is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the CPI is not always an accurate reflection of the costs most affecting consumers. 

A report in May by The Senior Citizens League estimated that Social Security benefits purchase about a third less than they did in 2000. In other words, the cost of the things seniors buy most hasn’t remained low, even though the official inflation rate has been below 2 percent for most of the last two decades.

For those still employed and not yet retired, the government has set the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security withholding tax at $137,700. Social Security recipients under the age of 66 can earn 18,240 in 2020 before their benefit is subject to taxation.

The earnings limit for people turning 66 in 2020 will increase to $48,600. The government deducts $1 from benefits for each $3 earned over $48,600 until the month the worker turns age 66. 

There is no limit on earnings for workers who are "full" retirement age or older for the entire year.

Average increase is $23

An analysis by financial publisher The Motley Fool puts the average increase in Social Security checks at $23 a month. The 2020 increase is significantly less than what recipients got in 2019, when benefits increased 2.8 percent

To calculate the annual cost of living increase, the Social Security Administration analyzed the Labor Department’s monthly reading of CPI. To determine an annual increase, the government takes the average of the CPI for the months of July, August, and September and compares the average to that of the previous year.

Whatever the increase turns out to be, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point, it is set as the cost-of-living increase for the following year.

Many consumers might want an iPhone, but the price tag can be prohibitive for some people. To fill this market niche, the tech giant will reportedly introduce a budget iPhone next year that would retail for $399.

Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF Securities who covers Apple, reported over the weekend that the new iPhone, despite its low price, will have the same processor as the recently released iPhone 11, which sells for between $699 and $1,099.

Kuo says the new phone will be called the iPhone SE2, and it will have a similar design to the iPhone 8. That means it can use some of that model’s parts but will feature an upgraded processor and camera. 

Apple has yet to comment on the report. MacRumors describes Kuo as a credible source when it comes to Apple.

“His research notes often provide a solid look at Apple's future plans and while he is not always correct, his predictions on future Apple products are accurate enough to make him one of the most reliable sources for Apple rumors,” the website says.

Aimed at the iPhone 6?

While Apple sells some previous iPhone models at low prices, those devices feature older technology. For example, the iPhone 6 models do not run the latest iPhone operating system, IOS 13.

A $400 phone featuring an improved camera and the latest processor could well be a game-changer when it comes to competing with lower-priced phones.

In a note to clients, Kuo predicted the new iPhone could prove attractive to consumers still using iPhone 6 models who have been reluctant to upgrade because of cost. Kuo says as many as 200 million consumers could still be using those older devices.

Kuo says the fact that the iPhone 6 models can’t run the latest operating system may create a “more urgent replacement demand.”

Apple introduced the iPhone 11 series last month, with three new models featuring improved cameras and a new processor. At the same time, it cut the price of the iPhone 8 to $449 and the iPhone 8 Plus to $549.

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Academy of Ophthalmology explored how consumers with poorer vision can be safer when they get behind the wheel. 

The researchers found that safe driving habits improved following cataract surgery for those with vision problems, with accidents and near-accidents decreasing by nearly 50 percent. 

“People may often wait months to receive government funded surgery after a cataract is diagnosed,” said Dr. Jonathon Ng. “These results highlight the importance of timely cataract surgery in maintaining safety and continued mobility and independence in older drivers.” 

Getting safer on the road

To see how driving was affected by cataract surgery, the researchers evaluated over 40 individuals’ driving styles both before and after the procedure. 

Cataracts can develop naturally as consumers get older, and they can make a person’s vision cloudy and blurry. It’s important to note that typical vision tests aren’t always thorough enough to determine if cataracts are impeding someone’s ability to drive safely. 

The researchers created driving simulations for the study participants that would test basic driving skills, such as pedestrians crossing, changes in speed limit, variations in traffic patterns, and other driving factors. The test was the same for participants both before and after the surgery. 

As is typical of cataract surgery, the patients had their eyes operated on during separate procedures to assess the success of each surgery. The participants completed the driving simulation three times -- before surgery, after the first cataract surgery, and then after the final surgery. 

While the researchers saw improvements in the participants’ driving after the first eye procedure, they were able to avoid accidents and near-accidents nearly 50 percent better with both eyes cleared of cataracts. 

The researchers explained that being eligible for cataract surgery is often difficult for many consumers, as it’s hard to discern the difference between cataracts and general signs of aging of the eyes. However, consumers should pay attention to how often their eyesight is affecting their ability to perform routine, day-to-day tasks and talk to their doctors if those things become difficult. 

Roughly a year after filing for bankruptcy, Sears is still having to shutter some of its remaining stores due to disappointing performance.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reports that about a quarter of the 425 Sears and Kmart stores purchased by former CEO Eddie Lampert have closed already or are slated to close later this year.

Sears said in August when announcing additional store closures that even more closings were possible in the future. The company said it would “continue to evaluate our network of Sears and Kmart stores and cannot rule out additional store closures in the near term.” 

“Our goal remains to return the company to profitability and preserve as many jobs as possible in the communities we serve,” Sears said in a statement.

More store closings 

Lampert received approval from a bankruptcy judge to purchase several hundred Sears and Kmart locations in February, along with the Kenmore and DieHard brands, for about $5.2 billion. However, the Journal reports that 26 of those stores will be closed in the fall due to poor sales performance. Another 100 stores are set to close by the end of 2019. 

The entity under which Lampert purchased the stores, TransformCo, hasn’t said which stores will be closing. 

Since February's bankruptcy deal, Lampert and Sears Holdings have each filed lawsuits against each other. In April, Sears Holdings sued Lampert and his hedge fund ESL investments, claiming they “stripped Sears of billions of dollars of assets.” The following month, Lampert sued Sears Holdings, claiming the firm “imposed undue liabilities on Transform and deprived it of bargained-for assets, funds and other value."

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 2,215 model year 2019-2020 A 220s & A 220 4MATICs, model year 2020 CLA 250s, CLA 250 4 MATICs, GLC 300 Coupe 4MATICs, GLC 300s & GLC 300 4MATICs.

The driver's side front airbag modules may not have been properly bolted down.

In the event of a crash the driver's front airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver airbag module and replace it, as necessary, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 26, 2019.

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at (800) 367-6372.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the official toll of lung illnesses and deaths linked to e-cigarette use. The death toll has increased to 26, and the number of illnesses has been raised to 1,299.

Health agencies across the U.S. have focused more intently in recent weeks on patients complaining of lung illnesses to determine if there could be a connection with vaping. Officials at the CDC say an alarming number of these illnesses and deaths have e-cigarette use in common.

Perhaps more alarming is the fact that many of the victims are young. According to CDC data, 15 percent of those who either got sick or died are under the age of 18, and 21 percent are 18 to 20 years old.

THC plays a role

The CDC said most patients reported a history of vaping THC products derived from cannabis. Approximately 70 percent of the patients are males, and the overwhelming majority are under the age of 35.

The health agency says there is still a lot that health authorities don’t know. For example, it isn’t known what chemical or combination of chemicals in the vapor is actually causing the illnesses. It says no single product or substance has been linked to all lung injury cases.

“The outbreak is occurring in the context of a dynamic marketplace for e-cigarette, or vaping, products, which may have a mix of ingredients, complex packaging and supply chains, and include potentially illicit substances,” the CDC said.

Because of the proliferation of illicit vaping products, the CDC says consumers may have no way of knowing what’s in them. Many of the products can be modified by users, which could also make them more dangerous.

More information needed

The CDC says more information is needed to know whether one or more e-cigarette or vaping products, substances, or brands caused the outbreak. The FDA recently launched a criminal investigation into vaping that will focus on uncovering the cause of the illnesses by looking at the chemical makeup of the products and how people use them. 

“We are in desperate need of facts," Mitch Zeller, the agency’s tobacco director, said in a statement last week. “The focus of their work is to identify what is making people sick, as well as a focus on the supply chain.”

The CDC continues to advise consumers to consider not using e-cigarette products. It says those who use the products should monitor themselves for symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and cough. If any of these symptoms are present, regulators urge consumers to seek medical attention. 

The parents of a man who died in a single-vehicle car crash have filed a lawsuit against Tesla Inc., alleging that their son’s Model S Tesla accelerated erratically, causing the driver to lose control and smash into a wall. 

But the victim’s parents are laying blame on the vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries as the cause of death, not on the accident itself, which they claim as “entirely survivable.” 

“Barrett Riley was wearing his seatbelt, and the airbags on the 2014 Model S deployed and cushioned the impact to the occupants,” reads the complaint. “The driver’s side of the vehicle was largely undamaged...According to the autopsy report, Barrett Riley had no broken bones, no injuries to his head, and no injuries to his body other than the fatal burns. Barrett Riley died inside the 2014 Model S due to the runaway battery fire.”

An interesting twist in the case

Ironically, just two months before the accident, Riley’s parents asked their local Tesla dealer to install a speed limiter on the Model S that wouldn’t allow the car to go faster than 85 mph. Their reason for wanting that wasn’t a concern with acceleration, but rather because their son had received a speeding ticket and they wanted to add another layer of protection to his safety.

“However, unbeknownst to James and Jenny Riley, after the Model S had to be taken in to TESLA for service just a short time later, the speed limiter was removed without their consent or permission,” the lawsuit claims. 

“Outrageously, TESLA never told the Rileys that it had done so – until after the fatal accident. If James Riley had been informed by TESLA about what it had done to his Model S, he never would have permitted his son to drive the Model S. If the speed limiter had remained in place as the Rileys instructed, the accident never would have happened, and Barrett Riley would be alive today.”

Tesla problems continue to mount

Problems with Tesla’s Model S are nothing new. Just last year, there was another battery fire-related incident, prompting the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) to open an investigation. ConsumerAffairs has also reported on complaints filed with regulators claiming similar spontaneous acceleration with the Tesla Model S.

A recent poll asking Tesla owners, “Do you have shudder on hard acceleration? AKA death rattle?” Nearly 70 percent responded in the affirmative. There are also claims that Tesla purposely reduced acceleration, but it’s unproven if that was the company’s way of addressing acceleration-related issues or not.

In all fairness, Model S issues haven’t been entirely lost on Tesla. Earlier this year, the company recalled nearly 70,000 2014-2016 Model S (and other models) vehicles, but it was due to airbag issues and not linked with batteries. Also this year, Tesla offered a repair for the front drive unit moving side-to-side more than expected during hard accelerations.

A new study conducted by researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that those who have given up cigarettes, or those who have the occasional cigarette, may not be out of the woods when it comes to lung damage. 

The study revealed that compromised lung function can affect not only those who are avid smokers; those who quit the habit can experience damage to their lungs decades later. 

“Many people assume that smoking a few cigarettes a day isn’t so bad,” said researcher Dr. Elizabeth Oelsner. “But it turns out that the difference in loss of lung function between someone who smokes five cigarettes a day versus two packs a day is relatively small.”

Smoking takes a toll

The researchers divided over 25,000 participants into three groups to best understand the effect that smoking has on the lungs’ ability to breathe properly. The groups consisted of never-smokers, light smokers who smoked less than five cigarettes per day, and heavy smokers who smoked over 30 cigarettes per day. 

Over the course of the study, the participants’ lung function was regularly tested to account for outside factors such as age, which is known to reduce lung function regardless of smoking status. The researchers learned that both former smokers and light smokers experienced poorer lung function than those who had never touched a cigarette. 

Many consumers may be surprised to learn that quitting smoking wasn’t an immediate reversal of the stress they put on their lungs. The study revealed that while former smokers fare better than current smokers, it could take up to three decades to completely neutralize the effects of smoking. 

“That’s consistent with a lot of biological studies,” said Dr. Oelsner. “There are anatomic differences in the lung that persists for years after smokers quit and gene activity also remains unaltered.” 

Moreover, the researchers found that the difference in lung function between light smokers and heavy smokers was very minimal, emphasizing that even those who have a few cigarettes a day are affecting their long-term lung health. 

“Smoking a few cigarettes a day is much riskier than a lot of people think,” Dr. Oelsner said. “Everyone should be strongly encouraged to quit smoking, no matter how many cigarettes per day they are using.” 

Adding a pet to the family can be a big decision for many consumers, but a new study could help make that decision a bit easier. 

Researchers at the American Heart Association (AHA) found that having a dog can add years to consumers’ lives, particularly for those recovering from a heart attack or stroke.

“We know that social isolation is a strong risk factor for worse health outcomes and premature death,” said researcher Tove Fall, D.V.M. “Previous studies have indicated that dog owners experience less social isolation and have more interaction with other people. Furthermore, keeping a dog is good motivation for physical activity, which is an important factor in rehabilitation and mental health.” 

Being healthier, living longer

The researchers compiled their findings from two studies -- one which evaluated how having a dog helped all consumers live longer and one that explored how a dog could benefit those recovering from a heart attack or stroke. 

The first study examined a total of nearly four million participants, which the researchers used to compare how dog owners fared versus non-dog owners. Dog owners were found to be healthier than those without dogs, as the researchers found they exercised more and had lower blood pressure and cholesterol. This group was also over 30 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular issues and had al 24 percent lower likelihood of death from all causes. 

For the second study, the researchers analyzed patients who had suffered a heart attack or stroke between 2001 and 2012. Again, the researchers compared the health outcomes between dog owners and non-dog owners. The findings showed that dog owners won out, as the risk of death following health struggles was lower for those who had a dog at home, regardless of whether patients lived alone or with family. 

Dog owners who had suffered a heart attack and lived alone reduced their risk of death by over 30 percent, while those who had suffered a stroke and lived in the same conditions reduced their risk of death by 27 percent. 

While the researchers do suggest that consumers only seek out dog ownership if they feel able to care for a pet, the findings are promising in that they offer a way to be more active and social in day-to-day life, both of which can contribute to longer life. 

Uber has launched a new app that connects temporary workers with staffing agencies in need of workers. The app, called Uber Works, is only available in Chicago initially, but Uber says it plans to expand its availability “soon.”  

Shift workers who use the service can find information on pay, location, and working conditions within the app. Workers can also use Uber Works to track working hours and breaks. Employers, meanwhile, can find "vetted and qualified" temporary workers through the app. 

“We believe a more efficient marketplace will also support businesses. By providing a reliable pool of vetted and qualified workers, Uber Works can help businesses reduce scheduling headaches, weather seasonal variations, and staff up for unexpected demand,” Uber said in a statement.

The ride-hailing giant said its app was built on a commitment to delivering services that “support skill up-leveling and promote work re-entry.” Uber said it will be teaming up with “various organizations that support workers in their employment journey.” 

Trying to make a profit

The rollout of the app comes as Uber struggles to achieve profitability. In April, the company said its potential to turn a profit was being hampered by factors that include cutting prices for passengers, spending to recruit drivers, and investing in businesses such as food delivery and scooters. Going forward, Uber said it would be looking to shape its future through “worthwhile investments.” 

Uber is currently embroiled in controversy over how it classifies its workers. Some workers have expressed discontent over their “gig worker” status, which deprives them of benefits. Others, however, appreciate the flexible nature of the job. For its part, Uber has said it continues to believe its drivers are “properly classified as independent.” 

Uber noted in its announcement that staffing agencies -- not Uber -- will be in charge of employing, paying, and handling worker benefits when they use the platform.

Teens prefer YouTube to Netflix, according to a survey released this week by Piper Jaffray. The firm’s semiannual “Taking Stock With Teens” survey found that 37 percent of teens’ daily video consumption is spent on YouTube, while 35 percent is spent on Netflix. 

Piper Jaffray, an investment bank, said the demographic’s increasing preference for watching videos on YouTube instead of Netflix can be attributed to the platform’s “wide array of teen-oriented content,” such as music videos, video game streaming, and influencer videos. 

While YouTube was teens’ video-viewing platform of choice, the survey found that Netflix was more popular among teens compared to Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Of the 9,500 teens surveyed, Hulu was preferred by 7 percent and Amazon Prime Video was preferred by just 3 percent of teens. 

Piper Jaffray analysts said competition in the subscription streaming service industry is to be expected in the coming months when Disney launches its Disney+ service and Apple launches Apple TV+ -- “but we believe the market will support multiple players, with Netflix leading the way,” the analysts said. 

"Looking into 2020 and beyond, despite increasing competition from Disney and Apple, we are optimistic regarding ongoing international sub growth and price increases,” the analysts wrote.

The survey also found that cable TV consumption has continued to drop among teens, just as it has among other demographics. Just 12 percent of teens’ daily video time was spent watching cable TV, which represented a 2 percent decrease from the firm’s spring survey and a 14 percent decrease since 2016 when that number was 26 percent.