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

Feds break up alleged streaming password theft scheme

Netflix and other streaming services have dealt with a variety of password-stealing schemes and other scams for years. Netflix announced earlier this year it was trying to crack down on password-shari...

OTT Sees Healthy Gains In Broadband Homes

Parks’ OTT Video Market Tracker also shows that Netflix, WWE Network and Hulu have the highest word-of-mouth consumer promotion scores. Parks looked at consumer behavior during Q3 2014 and compared...

21 Smart Speaker Superpowers

Almost unheard of as recently as five years ago, smart speakers are on their way to becoming as ubiquitous as the microwave. As of early 2019, a third of U.S. homes with high-speed internet access had...

One Bot To Rule Them All? Not Likely, With Apple, Google, Amazon And Microsoft Virtual Assistants

In order for a virtual helpmate to run your life, it needs to engage with the providers of all the services you rely on, from your calendar app to your Uber ride. Those providers must either partner w...