Providing Market Intelligence for 40 Years

In The News

Parks: Netflix Returns Atop U.S. SVOD Services in Subscribers

Netflix has supplanted Prime Video as the No. 1 subscription streaming VOD service in subscribers, according to new data from Parks Associates, based on estimated numbers of subscribers through September. The top two streamers switched positions from 2024, with Hulu taking the No. 3 spot over Disney+.

Hulu’s upward movement is due to its agreement with Charter to distribute the service to Charter Select subscribers and reflects the growing influence of broadband partnerships in the streaming landscape. The Charter deal highlights how distribution strategy, not just content, is an important factor in shaping market leadership, according to Parks.

Parks estimates that 91% of all U.S. internet households have a streaming service and 46% are now using free ad-based services, creating competition for subscription streaming services. Roughly 80% of leading SVOD players now operate a subscription plus advertising model.

“Hulu’s jump … is a result of smart distribution strategy,” Michael Goodman, senior contributing analyst at Parks, said in a statement. “The Charter deal gave Hulu instant access to millions of households, reinforcing how vital partnerships between broadband providers and streamers have become in defining the new entertainment bundle, and the ability to scale.”

Disney has made changes to its apps, integrating Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ and creating a unified ecosystem that amplifies cross-promotion and advertising potential. This convergence allows Disney to deliver a more targeted, data-driven ad experience and position its streaming portfolio as one of the most powerful advertising platforms in the market, according to Parks.

With Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly exploring strategic options, a potential sale to major streaming rivals Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video could further accelerate industry consolidation and reshape the balance of power, according to Goodman.

From the article, "Parks: Netflix Returns Atop U.S. SVOD Services in Subscribers" by Erik Gruenwedel

Previously In The News

Report: Households Say Internet Service Meets Their Needs, Despite New Demands

Over half of homes (55%) now have smart home devices, compared with 51% in 2023, the researchers found. That finding is in keeping with similar research from Parks Associates that found that the pe...

Parks: 50% of U.S. Video-Viewing Homes Use Ad-Supported Streaming Services Weekly

About 50% of people who consume video on a viewing device (TV, computer, tablet, or phone) watch a free, ad-supported service (FAST) or ad-based video on-demand service (AVOD) at least once a week, ac...

Average Video Viewing Time Rises to 43.5 Hours Per Week in the US; Do Streamers Need More Phone-Specific Content?

New data compiled and analyzed by Parks Associates shows that average video viewing time in households in the United States has risen to 43.5 hours per week across all devices, but its numbers also sh...

Video Viewing Rises Significantly in U.S. Internet Households

U.S. Internet households now consume an average 43.5 hours of video per week across all viewing devices. That’s an increase of more than six hours in 2020, when the average was 37.2 hours, according t...