Written by Kianna Best on Jan 7, 2025. Posted in General Interest

Setting our sights on the streamers for 2025

With Disney, Netflix, Prime Video, Tubi and many more, the streaming landscape spreads further than ever. In 2025, the competition between the platform ramps up as content offerings continue to diversify, ad-tiered services rake in greater audiences across the globe, and the big names attempt to create a seamless experience with cross service collaborations. But who will come out on top for the new year.

Image courtesy of Netflix

Launching its ad-tier in November 2022 with an estimation to reach 1.45 million new users of the cost-effective offering, and reaching 70 million active users in 2024. Setting the trend, Disney followed the year after across Europe and Canada, with Prime Video joining in at the end of January last year. As the offerings become more competitive, audiences are spread across all options, searching for the best choice for all their programming needs.

After a strong Q3 performance at the end of 2024 with revenues increasing 15% year on year to USD 9.82 billion, Netflix remain at the top position amongst the streamers, this year, taking over the live events territory. Ending the year with awl,n NFL takeover on Christmas with two games and a much anticipated half time performance aptly named Beyonce Bowl, the streamer added to its 2024 live events venture after its 2024 SAG Award broadcast. This year, the WWE finds its home with Netflix as the franchise brings popular events such as Raw, Smackdown, NXT and more to millions of homes.

International content will take continue to take centre stage, with streaming giants investing heavily in non-English productions and the return of popular projects such as the second season of Squid Game which arrived on Netflix last month and Apple TV’s Golden Globe-winning success Shōgun . Shows and movies from regions like South Korea, India, and Africa will become as prominent as Hollywood content, reflecting the growing demand for diverse storytelling.

AI has also infiltrated its way into the streaming structure, with the algorithm using the technology to its advantage in understanding audience needs. Services include Tubi’s Rabbit AI which utilises Chat GPT for its mobile app, Prime Video’s C-Ray recaps and Peacock’s Paris Olympics narrated recaps. Interactivity is set to become a defining feature for the year as well, with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gaining prominence, enabling immersive experiences like watching movies in a virtual theater or participating in interactive worlds tied to popular franchises.