Report: World Passes 1 Billion Streaming Subscriptions, U.S. Consumption Highest Since 2012
Today, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) released its 2020 THEME report, a year-in-review document highlighting entertainment trends, demographics, and figures. This year’s “theme” was no doubt the rise in streaming numbers and fall of in-person theater experiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the MPA, U.S. online video streaming subscriptions reached 308.6 million and the number of virtual pay TV subscriptions increased to 12.1 million. The report also mentioned the majority of households have both pay TV and online subscriptions, strengthening an Amdocs report from earlier this year that showed many viewers use subscription services to supplement their content offerings. The trend extends globally, as worldwide streaming subscriptions topped 1.1 billion in 2020 - an increase of 26 percent over 2019.
Viewing hours also increased, with the MPA report showing U.S. adults spent 3 hours and 34 minutes watching TV each day, an increase of seven minutes from the previous year — the first time that value has risen since 2012. 55 percent of U.S. adults reported their streaming service usage increased during the pandemic, while 46 percent of the surveyed reported an increase in their traditional TV watch times.
Mobile consumption is also on the rise in the U.S. with more than 85 percent of children and over 55 percent of adults watching on a phone or tablet.
However, in-theater entertainment was down across the board, as the MPA reported an 80 percent decrease in market value for U.S. and Canadian theaters in 2020. Likewise, ticket sales were down 81 percent compared to 2019 figures. Under half of the U.S. and Canadian population went to the theaters last year, down from 76 percent in 2019.
Give loyal moviegoers (those who go to the cinema at least once per month) credit, though — while they represent three percent of the population, they accounted for 43 percent of tickets sold in 2020. That’s dedication.
Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the MPA, praised streaming services like Netflix, Peacock, Disney+, and HBO Max for enabling “broader distribution for creators and an even greater choice for consumers.”
“Streaming experienced another huge boom, with new entrants into the market and more than one billion subscriptions worldwide for the first time ever,” Rivkin said. “We kept audiences connected and entertained wherever they were and whenever they desired. Theatrical and home entertainment remain two essential parts of this dynamic and iconic industry, and I am confident that movie theaters will experience a great comeback in the months ahead.”
The MPA also outlined the 20 most-viewed titles at home in the U.S. last year. As you might imagine, repeat viewings of children’s films were commonplace in a year of quarantine.
Most-viewed streaming films in 2020
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Frozen II
November 20, 2019Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf head far into the forest to learn the truth about an ancient mystery of their kingdom.
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Moana
October 13, 2016In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain’s daughter’s island, she answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the demigod to set things right.
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The Secret Life of Pets 2
May 24, 2019Max the terrier must cope with some major life changes when his owner gets married and has a baby. When the family takes a trip to the countryside, nervous Max has numerous run-ins with canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a scary turkey. Luckily for Max, he soon catches a break when he meets Rooster, a gruff farm dog who tries to cure the lovable pooch of his neuroses.
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Onward
February 29, 2020In a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.
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The Grinch
November 8, 2018The 2018 animated film “The Grinch” presents a fresh take on the classic Dr. Seuss tale with a modern twist. Directed by Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier, the story follows the cantankerous Grinch who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a heart “two sizes too small,” the Grinch’s main source of annoyance comes from the neighboring Whoville, particularly during the Christmas season when the Whos revel in celebrations that are louder and more extravagant than ever. The film weaves its narrative with a vibrant animation style, a contemporary soundtrack featuring artists like Tyler, The Creator, and a humorous yet emotional exploration of the Grinch’s character.
And while maintaining the core message of the original story, this version expands on the Grinch’s backstory and his interactions with the Whos, providing a new dimension to the beloved holiday narrative.
This iteration of “The Grinch” differs from previous adaptations in several ways. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the titular character, bringing a different portrayal to the role that stands apart from Jim Carrey’s more outlandish live-action performance in How the Grinch Stole Christmas from 2000 or Boris Karloff’s narration in the 1966 Grinch TV special. Other celebrity voices in the film include Pharrell Williams, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, and Angela Lansbury.
Here are 8 reasons why you should watch this movie this year:
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Humor: The film is filled with charming humor, including visual gags that might be appreciated even more upon a second viewing, making it a fun experience for audiences.
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Inventive Gadgets: The Grinch’s creative gadgets and inventions add an element of whimsy to his antics, especially when he masquerades as Santa Claus.
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Modern Soundtrack: The contemporary music in the film, including a child-friendly hip-hop soundtrack with a rendition of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Tyler, The Creator, brings a fresh take to the classic story.
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Distinctive Animation: The distinctive animation style of Illumination Entertainment brings Whoville to life with creative and detailed visuals that are true to the Dr. Seuss aesthetic.
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Emotional Depth: The movie explores the Grinch’s relationship with his pet dog, Max, in a way that adds emotional depth and is surprisingly touching compared to other adaptations.
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Family Tradition: While the original Chuck Jones animated version may be a favorite for older individuals around the holidays, this newer version brings life back to the story and is engaging for all ages making it a great candidate as something to watch every year.
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Seussian Visuals: The film’s visuals are described as delightfully Seussian, with a captivating depiction of Whoville and the Grinch’s lair that stays true to the spirit of the original book.
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Heartfelt Message: What would the Grinch be without the message of kindness and forgiveness? The film carries the heartfelt message that Christmas is about being together, not just presents and candy canes, which is a timely reminder for audiences of all ages.
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Hamilton
July 3, 2020Presenting the tale of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, this filmed version of the original Broadway smash hit is the story of America then, told by America now.
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Spenser Confidential
March 6, 2020Spenser, a former Boston patrolman who just got out from prison, teams up with Hawk, an aspiring fighter, to unravel the truth behind the death of two police officers.
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Aladdin
May 22, 2019A kindhearted street urchin named Aladdin embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie while a power-hungry Grand Vizier vies for the same lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
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Toy Story 4
June 19, 2019Woody has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.
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Zootopia
February 11, 2016Determined to prove herself, Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on Zootopia’s police force, jumps at the chance to crack her first case - even if it means partnering with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery.
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These were the most-streamed original series in the U.S. in 2020:
10 most-streamed original series
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Ozark
July 21, 2017A financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years to appease a drug boss.
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Lucifer
January 25, 2016Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar abandoned his throne and retired to Los Angeles, where he has teamed up with LAPD detective Chloe Decker to take down criminals. But the longer he’s away from the underworld, the greater the threat that the worst of humanity could escape.
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The Crown
November 4, 2016The gripping, decades-spanning inside story of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Prime Ministers who shaped Britain’s post-war destiny.
The Crown tells the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world – Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street – and the intrigues, love lives and machinations behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. Two houses, two courts, one Crown.
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Tiger King
March 20, 2020A zoo owner spirals out of control amid a cast of eccentric characters in this true murder-for-hire story from the underworld of big cat breeding.
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The Mandalorian
November 12, 2019After the fall of the Galactic Empire, lawlessness has spread throughout the galaxy. A lone gunfighter makes his way through the outer reaches, earning his keep as a bounty hunter.
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The Umbrella Academy
February 15, 2019A dysfunctional family of superheroes comes together to solve the mystery of their father’s death, the threat of the apocalypse and more.
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The Great British Bake Off
August 17, 2010This British television baking competition selects from amongst its competitors the best amateur baker. The series is credited with reinvigorating interest in baking throughout the UK, and many of its participants, including winners, have gone on to start a career based on baking.
This is called “The Great British Baking Show” on American Netflix.
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The Boss Baby: Back in Business
April 6, 2018With a little help from his brother and accomplice, Tim, Boss Baby tries to balance family life with his job at Baby Corp headquarters.
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Longmire
June 3, 2012A Wyoming sheriff rebuilds his life and career following the death of his wife. Based on the “Walt Longmire” series of mystery novels written by best-selling author Craig Johnson.
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You
September 9, 2018A dangerously charming, intensely obsessive young man goes to extreme measures to insert himself into the lives of those he is transfixed by.
Netflix was home to all 10 of the most-streamed acquired series last year. While some shows are still ongoing, streaming subscribers gobbled up older episodes.
10 most-streamed acquired series
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The Office
March 24, 2005The everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
While “The Office” dominated the competition here, it was a big win for Netflix last year. In 2021, the show moved to [Peacock].
- DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment
- $79.99 / month
- Peacock Premium Plus
- $11.99 / month
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Grey's Anatomy
March 27, 2005Follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Next Episode:
May 2, 2024- DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment
- $79.99 / month
- Hulu Live TV
- $76.99 / month
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Criminal Minds
September 22, 2005An elite team of FBI profilers analyze the country’s most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. The Behavioral Analysis Unit’s most experienced agent is David Rossi, a founding member of the BAU who returns to help the team solve new cases.
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NCIS
September 23, 2003From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has a shred of evidence connected to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.
Next Episode:
Apr 22, 2024- DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment
- $79.99 / month
- Paramount Plus Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
- $11.99 / month
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Schitt's Creek
January 13, 2015Formerly filthy rich video store magnate Johnny Rose, his soap star wife Moira, and their two kids, über-hipster son David and socialite daughter Alexis, suddenly find themselves broke and forced to live in Schitt’s Creek, a small depressing town they once bought as a joke.
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Supernatural
September 13, 2005When they were boys, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force. Subsequently, their father raised them to be soldiers. He taught them about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America … and he taught them how to kill it. Now, the Winchester brothers crisscross the country in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, battling every kind of supernatural threat they encounter along the way.
- YouTube TV
- $72.99 / month
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Shameless
January 9, 2011Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be… perhaps better off. When Frank’s not at the bar spending what little money they have, he’s passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.
- DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment + Showtime
- $90.99 / month
- Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
- $11.99 / month
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New Girl
September 20, 2011Jessica Day is an offbeat and adorable girl in her late 20s who, after a bad breakup, moves in with three single guys. Goofy, positive, vulnerable and honest to a fault, Jess has faith in people, even when she shouldn’t. Although she’s dorky and awkward, she’s comfortable in her own skin. More prone to friendships with women, she’s not used to hanging with the boys—especially at home.
- DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment
- $79.99 / month
- Hulu Live TV
- $76.99 / month
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The Blacklist
September 23, 2013Raymond “Red” Reddington, one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives, surrenders in person at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He claims that he and the FBI have the same interests: bringing down dangerous criminals and terrorists. In the last two decades, he’s made a list of criminals and terrorists that matter the most but the FBI cannot find because it does not know they exist. Reddington calls this “The Blacklist”. Reddington will co-operate, but insists that he will speak only to Elizabeth Keen, a rookie FBI profiler.
- DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment
- $79.99 / month
- Peacock Premium Plus
- $11.99 / month
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The Vampire Diaries
September 10, 2009The story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same girl, who bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful but ruthless vampire they knew and loved in 1864.
- YouTube TV
- $72.99 / month
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You can read the entire MPA THEME report here.