Global streaming subscriptions will surpass 2 billion by 2029
Global streaming subscriptions will surpass 2 billion by 2029
Password-sharing restrictions, new ad plans, and more international expansion will keep streamers growing in the years to come, according to a new survey.
The general consensus among streaming analysts is that there’s simply not that much growth to be had for providers in the United States. Generally speaking, everyone who wants a streaming subscription in the U.S. already has one, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for growth elsewhere. A new projection from Ampere Analysis reinforces that notion, showing that global streaming subscriptions will continue to grow until they surpass 2 billion by 2029.
Key Details:
- Ampere says that growth in the Asia Pacific region will be key for pushing global streaming subscriptions past 2 billion by 2029.
- Password-sharing restrictions by Disney+, Max, Netflix, and others will be key in aiding growth.
- Revenues will grow almost three times faster than subscribers as streamers prioritize profits.
Ampere’s numbers show that growth in the Asia Pacific region will be critical over the next five years, as streamers try to climb from the 1.8 billion subscriptions there are today past the 2 billion mark. With the North American marketplace essentially saturated, streamers will have to continue expanding in the APAC area to ensure continued growth.
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Other data firms have predicted similar streaming growth over the next four to five years, but Ampere believes there are some key factors that will drive subscriptions over the 2 billion figure by 2029. Expansion is a major one; Max has been working hard to launch in more territories this year, and other services like Disney+ and Paramount+ have also made big strides to grow and streamline international operations. Content spending around the globe is already on the rise among many major streaming services, such as Prime Video.
Revenues will grow even faster than subscriptions, according to Ampere. It forecasts that streamers will see more than 30% revenue increases by 2029, as services continue to hone their efforts at maximizing profits and increasing per-subscriber dollars.
The forecasts say that password-sharing restrictions will have a big part in the revenue jumps, as will the rollout of ad plans. Max became the latest streamer to inform subscribers that rules against account sharing were on the way, following the lead of Disney+ and Netflix. Bundles will also help grow per-user revenues, such as the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle which launched earlier this year. By 2029, total streaming revenues generated per year will be more than $190 billion.
“The global streaming market is poised to generate $190 billion annually from two billion paid subscriptions by 2029,” Ampere research manager Maria Dunleavey said. “Key strategic developments, like Netflix’s account-sharing crackdown and cheaper ad tier offer, and rivals Disney+ and Max’s aggressive approach to bundling, are driving revenue growth in saturated streaming markets. Targeting the untapped Asia Pacific region is the most promising strategy for subscriber growth. To surpass current subscriber expectations, streamers must double down on strategic investments in less saturated markets. India was Netflix’s second-largest subscriber growth market in 2024, and the company has barely scratched the surface there in terms of growth potential.”
Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”