Global SVOD Subscriptions to Reach 777 Million

Middlesex, UK, Oct. 3, 2018 -- Worldwide paying subscription video on demand (SVOD) subscriptions will increase by 409 million between 2017 and 2023 to total 777 million and eleven countries will have more than 10 million SVOD subscriptions by 2023, a new research shows.

China and the US will together account for more than half the world’s SVOD subscriptions by 2023. China will have the most SVOD subs from 2019 – despite multiple subscriptions being commonplace in the US. China will have 235 million SVOD subscribers by 2023 – up from 97 million in 2017.

Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research, said “The US will have 208 million SVOD subscriptions by 2023; up by an impressive 76 million on 2017 despite its relative maturity. Its share of the global market will fall from 36% in 2017 to 27% by 2023.”

By 2023, Netflix will contribute 192 million subscriptions (25% of the 777 million subscriptions), Amazon Prime Video 120 million (15%), China 235 million (30%. Neither Netflix or Amazon Prime Video operate in China) and 230 million “others” (30%). Netflix will add 82 million subs between 2017 and 2023.

Amazon Prime Video launched in 200 countries in late 2016 – like Netflix, not in China. We forecast 120 million Amazon Prime Video’s subscribers by 2023 – double the 2017 total. However, 110 million of the 2023 total will be in Amazon Prime territories, and therefore will not directly pay for the video platform.

SVOD revenues will reach US$ 69 billion by 2023; up by nearly $44 billion since 2017. The US will remain the SVOD revenue leader by a considerable distance – adding US$ 17 billion between 2017 and 2023 to take its total to US$ 29 billion.

The Global SVOD Forecasts report provides detailed forecasts for 694 platforms across 138 countries – covering movie and TV episode subscriptions, but not other services such as dedicated sports platforms. The figures are for paying subscriptions only and do not include trialists.