Commissions for scripted streaming shows fall markedly in 2025
Commissions for scripted streaming shows fall markedly in 2025
New data from Ampere Analysis shows that streamers are already reacting to a dimmed economic outlook.
Global economic conditions are becoming more uncertain seemingly by the day, and streaming services know it. That conclusion becomes evident in the latest survey unveiled by Ampere Analysis, which found that commissions for scripted original TV shows on top streaming services have fallen by 24% as compared to the first half of 2024. The data shows that big media outlets are keeping a closer eye on their budgets amidst the onset of tariffs and other policies that are stirring the economic waters.
Key Details:
- Sharp drop: The top six global streamers commissioned 76 fewer shows in the first half of 2025 as compared to 2024.
- Eastern promises: Commission declines were particularly notable in Europe and Asia.
- Prime real estate: Prime Video made the most notable changes to its commission numbers.
According to Ampere’s data, the number of scripted original TV commissions at Apple TV+, [Amazon Prime Video], Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, and Paramount+ — the top six global streaming services — fell 24% year-over-year. In the first half of 2025, these streamers commissioned just 242 first-run or renewed titles, as compared to 318 in the first half of 2024.
Ampere attributes this pullback to streaming services re-evaluating their slates of original scripted programming, mostly thanks to uncertainty caused by tariffs and other economic policies. Commission pull-backs are especially notable in Western Europe and the Asia Pacific regions, where those numbers fell by almost 50% or more.
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Scripted commissions were down across the TV industry overall, but only at a rate of 8%. That means streaming services are cutting back at a rate three times that of cable and broadcast. Netflix and Apple TV+ were the least affected by cuts and saw drops in commissioning of just 6% and 4%, respectively.
Prime Video saw the biggest retreat in scripted TV commissions, dropping by more than 50%. Commissions from India fell to just a couple of titles, which helped contribute to a 52% decline in the APAC region overall. Just last year, Prime Video announced a huge slate of content to be produced in India, but that was when global economic conditions were more stable. Despite these numbers, Ampere says that the number of commissions from top streamers could rebound later in 2025.
“Several factors underpin the reduction in H1 Scripted commissions,” Ampere research manager Cyrine Amor said. “Primarily, the move reflects the streamers’ ongoing strategic shift in their business models post the era of ‘peak TV’. This is marked by reduced investments in Originals, a more cautious approach to commissioning decisions, and a heavier reliance on licensing in their content strategies. The uncertain economic climate and the prospect of taxation on international productions have further exacerbated these trends. Regional disparities support this picture. Ampere’s monthly data shows a brief recovery in April 2025, followed by a dip in May after new movie tariffs were announced. Greater clarity on tariffs and the broader economic outlook could drive a rebound in H2.”
Prime Video
Prime Video is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 10,000+ movies, TV shows, and Prime Originals like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Jack Ryan,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Boys,” and more. Subscribers can also add third-party services like Max, Showtime, STARZ, and dozens more with Prime Video Channels. Prime Video also offers exclusive live access to NFL Thursday Night Football.