-->
Save your FREE seat for Streaming Media Connect in November. Register Now!

Netflix, Amazon, Hulu the Most Popular OTT Services in the U.S.

Article Featured Image

Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu's SVOD service are the most popular over-the-top (OTT) streaming services in the United States, according the researchers at Parks Associates. While those three aren't a surprise, what comes next is: HBO Now took the fourth spot and Starz the fifth. Both of those services are new to the top five.

Rounding out the top 10 are MLB.TV, Showtime, CBS All Access, Sling TV, and DirecTV Now. Parks doesn't provide its estimates for subscriber numbers to the press, only the ranking. It compiles its list by examining announced subscriber numbers, original survey data from between 5,000 and 10,000 U.S. broadband-enabled houses, service usage, and trending data to model each service's size and growth.

Amazon could potentially take the top spot from Netflix, as Amazon Prime has more U.S. subscribers than Netflix does, notes Brett Sappington, senior director of research for Parks. However, many of them don't use Prime Video, and that's what this tally measures.

Sappington credits the strong showings from HBO, Starz, Showtime, and CBS All Access to their original content. That suggests new services from WarnerMedia and Disney might do well from the start.

In the U.S., 64 percent of broadband-enabled homes subscribe to an OTT service. Over two-thirds of those only subscribe to one of the three most popular services.

For more data, Parks Associates' OTT Video Market Tracker service is available to customers.

Streaming Covers
Free
for qualified subscribers
Subscribe Now Current Issue Past Issues
Related Articles

The Average Video Streamer Has 3.4 Services and Pays $8.53 Each

A report from Vindicia and nScreenMedia shows people like having multiple streaming services and prefer low-cost options. Also, Amazon Channels has a strong following.

What Defines OTT? Even the Experts Can't Agree on a Meaning

The theme of this year's Streaming Forum was "OTT: Better Than Broadcast?" But before they could debate that topic attendees needed to decide what OTT means.

Analysts Respond to Hulu Price Drop, See the Move as Savvy

A recent price hike by Netflix could have consumers reevaluating their OTT spending. By lowering costs, Hulu helps avoid churn.

Netflix Claims 10% of Total Television Screen Time in the U.S.

Is the leading SVOD worried about the upcoming debut of Disney+? No, it says, noting that Fortnite is a bigger competitor than HBO.

Hulu Planning Interface Changes for On-Demand and Live Video

Hulu's interface will become a little more conventional in the near future, and for many subscribers that's a good thing.

Press Pause, Get an Ad?

Hulu and AT&T's plan to show commercials when viewers pause is a reminder that these are tech companies, not broadcasters, at heart

Hulu and AT&T to Show Commercials When Content Is Paused: Report

Both networks plan to increase commercial loads by using ads that fill the screen when viewers take a break. Will viewer outrage convince them to back off?

The OTT Ecosystem Needs an Open Platform

If the industry is to continue to innovate, grow, and provide the best value and quality of experience, then we need to stop building closed systems and move toward open-platform, best-in-class infrastructure solutions.

OTT Services Make Pay TV Look Like a Poor Value, Parks Finds

Consumers are comparing high-priced pay TV services with lower-priced streaming plans, and for many streaming wins out.

15% of Pay TV Customers Downgraded Service in the Last Year

While 34% of pay TV customers made some kind of change in the previous 12 months, downgrading service was the most popular option.

People Who Watch More Alternative Video Watch Less Pay TV: Parks

Young people who post videos to online platforms and spend a lot of time watching shared content are less likely to opt for paid services.