Global streaming revenue surged to $160 billion in 2025. Here’s why.

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Streaming services worldwide earned $150 billion last year, with much of that growth coming from price increases at companies like Netflix, a recent report shows.

A new report from Ampere Analysis shows that people worldwide spent over $157 billion on streaming services in 2025, a 14% increase from the previous year. This revenue has tripled in the last five years, jumping from $50 billion in 2020.

Streaming services are still leading the way in how people access digital content. They’re increasingly charging more each month, and many viewers are opting for cheaper plans that include advertisements. These platforms are also becoming available in more countries around the world.

According to Lauren Liversedge, a senior analyst at Ampere Analysis, streaming services are shifting their focus. Instead of simply trying to gain more subscribers, they’re now concentrating on getting more value from the customers they already have, especially in areas where competition is fierce.

Ampere Analysis projects that subscription revenue will increase by 29% over the next five years, possibly exceeding $200 billion globally by 2030.

Hollywood Inc.

Over the past year, four major streaming services increased their prices, leading many viewers to choose plans with advertisements to save money. Recent research from Deloitte shows that two-thirds of streaming subscribers now opt for these ad-supported tiers, demonstrating that people are becoming more concerned about the cost of streaming.

The United States is leading the growth in streaming revenue, expected to generate half of the world’s total in 2025, according to Ampere Analysis. Within the U.S., Netflix currently holds the largest share of that revenue at 14%. Just last week, Netflix increased its prices again, bringing its most expensive plan to $27 per month. This is the second price increase for the service in just over a year.

Netflix continues to offer different plans and price points to suit a wide range of customers. The company is adjusting prices to allow for continued investment in high-quality entertainment and improvements to the overall member experience, according to a Netflix spokesperson.

I’ve noticed Netflix isn’t alone in raising prices – Disney+, HBO Max, and Apple TV all did the same thing last year, so it’s becoming a trend with streaming services.

New data from Deloitte shows that many U.S. streaming viewers are becoming more price-conscious. Over two-thirds of subscribers are now choosing plans that include advertisements, a significant jump of 20% since last year.

Hollywood Inc.

Netflix is increasing the cost of all its subscription plans again, marking the second price hike in just over a year.

Viewers around the world, not just in North America, are increasingly drawn to cheaper streaming options, reports Ampere Analysis. Revenue from streaming services offering ad-supported tiers has grown quickly in both North America and Western Europe, jumping from under 5% in 2020 to a projected 28% in 2025.

Despite consumers increasingly preferring cheaper, ad-supported plans, streaming services are still profitable, earning money from both subscriptions and advertising. Last year, these services generated around $177 billion in revenue worldwide when including ad income. Experts at Ampere Analysis predict advertising will become even more crucial, potentially adding $42 billion to annual revenue by 2030.

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2026-03-30 22:01