Netflix has long-dominated the world of streaming services, with programmes such as Stranger Things, AMC’s Breaking Bad and Orange is the new Black helping to catapult the company to international success. With the rise of competitors such as HBO Max, Disney+ and Apple TV+ however, it looks as though Netflix’s reign could soon be coming to an end.
Recent analyst forecasts from the industry have reported that by 2025 Disney+ should surpass the total number of Netflix subscribers. Independent research firm Digital TV Research shared the estimation in a report that stated Disney+ would reach 284.2 million subscribers in 2026. In the same year, the research indicates that Netflix will have 270.7 million subscribers.
As the company reports, “Three platforms will control nearly half the world’s SVOD subscriptions by 2026”. Continuing, the statement adds, “Disney+ will be the biggest winner, overtaking Netflix in 2025. Disney+ will add 140 million subscribers between 2021 and 2026 to bring its total to 284 million. About 121 million of Disney+’ subscribers (43% of its total) in 2026 will be in the 13 Asian countries under the Hotstar brand”.
Meanwhile, Digital TV Research estimates that China’s Tencent will finish 2026 with 98.7 million users and HBO Max with 76.3 million subscribers. Overall streaming subscriptions will increase by 491 million between 2021 and 2026 to hit 1.64 billion according to the research.
As Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research stated, “China and the U.S. had a similar number of subscriptions by end-2020…Due to government pressure, China’s growth is decelerating, with 354 million subscriptions expected by 2026. The U.S. will continue to grow, with 450 million subscriptions expected by 2026”.
Take a look at the upcoming slate of films from HBO Max below, ready to hit streaming and cinemas for the remainder of 2021.
