cord-never
n. A person who has never subscribed to a cable television package.
Also Seen As
Etymology
Examples
2017
Comcast’s own streaming service aimed at cord cutters and more so the ‘cord nevers’ who never sign up for cable, has now launched.
—Sarah Perez, “Comcast appeals to ‘cord nevers’ with launch of Xfinity Instant TV service,” TechCrunch, September 27, 2017
2015
The only read we can get on cord-nevers is through surveys. A recent U.S. poll by Forrester Research, for example, provides startling numbers. Its online survey of 32,000 American adults found that of the 24 per cent who say they don't pay for cable, only six per cent are cord-cutters, while 18 per cent are cord-nevers.
—Sophia Harris, “Cord-nevers could be bigger threat to TV than cord-cutters,” CBC News, November 09, 2015
2013
PwC says a plethora of choices has trained consumers to expect to receive media and entertainment when and where they want it. This means traditional forms of content packaging — like cable TV subscriptions — are becoming less tenable: “It is the connected consumer who is now really in control … cord-cutters are now being joined [by] the ‘cordnevers’, a younger generation who would never think of paying for TV.”
—Torben Rick, “The giant disruption — ebooks surpass printed books,” Meliorate, June 08, 2013
2011 (earliest)
However, the analysts did warn of a younger generation quickly being conditioned to live without the multi-channel video services offered by cable and satellite providers—a demographic they called "cord-nevers."
—Dan Hirschhorn, “'Cord-Avoiders' to Reduce Cable and Satellite TV Rolls in 2012, Analysts Say,” AdAge, November 28, 2011
Notes
So many cord-Xers out there! Besides the cord-never, we also have:
  • cord-avoider (2012)—A person who seeks online alternatives to existing cable television offerings.
  • cord-cutter (2006)—A person who cancels her existing cable television package.
  • cord-hater (2015)—A person who dislikes paying for cable television.
  • cord-shaver (2012)—A person who reduces his cable television package.