The Streaming Wars: SVOD subscriber counts, Netflix crashed streaming records & its own service

OTT ROUNDUP

Here’s a look at some of the biggest battles being waged in the #StreamingWars and the companies behind them. Featuring Netflix, Hulu, CBS All Access, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, PS Vue, YouTube (and YouTube TV), Disney+, whatever the hell WarnerMedia is cooking up, and countless others.

And Subscriber counts for all major SVOD services.

WARNERMEDIA

• AT&T confirms DIRECTV NOW’s streaming player is a beta test for the new DIRECTV service and it may run on third-party hardware.

DISNEY

• Hulu CEO: Expect to see more original content. Disney+ subscriber growth could be significantly higher than expected.

NETFLIX

• 4 things we learned from Netflix's record-breaking 'Murder Mystery' viewership including what happens when Netflix crashes before you can finish?

• Ted Sarandos describes how Netflix uses its viewer data.

• Advertising and media execs REALLY want Netflix to have ads.

• More than 20k people asked Netflix to remove Good Omens from Netflix. The problem is this is an Amazon Prime Video series. Both Netflix and Amazon had some fun with it.

QUIBI

• Quibi expects 75% of subscribers will opt for $4.99/month ad-supported tier and the company has already booked $100 million in ad sales. Will launch in April with 6 brand partners including P&G, Walmart, and PepsiCo.

AMAZON

• Amazon’s IMDb TV pitch to advertisers is coming into focus as service rebrands and adds more movies, TV shows.

CBS

• CBS reported to be readying Viacom Offer and is launching a free streaming service with Martha Stewart & Emeril Lagasse.

DAZN

• DAZN app nets 950% year-on-year revenue growth.

FEATURES, LAUNCHES, AND INNOVATION

• In OTT video, features are as important as content.

• Netflix testing pop-out player for multitasking and adds phone vibrations to every on-screen explosion.

• Apple TV is getting a Picture-in-Picture mode so you can watch two shows at once. Here’s all the news and features of Apple’s tvOS 13.

• YouTube TV Is rolling out an updated user interface on Roku.

• AT&T details 5G-equipped WarnerMedia Innovation Lab.

• FloSports launches new app on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku.

• Mill Creek Entertainment introduces movieSPREE on-demand streaming service.

GAMING

• Streaming gaming will change the video game industry. Here's why.

• Ubisoft launches new streaming service.

• Nintendo reportedly interested in starting its own streaming service.

• Twitch buys Bebo to build out its esports platform.

MUSIC

• New data proves music videos are more relevant than ever before.

• Spotify claims it 'overpaid' songwriters and wants its money back.

• Amazon Music will now come to Comcast Xfinity X1 set-tops.

• Introducing Current, a service that pays music lovers for streaming their favorite tunes.

INSIGHTS

• Too much of a good thing? Examining SVOD fatigue and 7 AVOD services that want to save you from “subscription hell”.

• Password sharing, the problem broadcasters can't keep ignoring.

• Spotify: Understanding the business model, industry and its unique advantages.

• Netflix: 'No amount of data can tell you what to commission next'.

• Apple seeks to bundle OTT providers, will the networks cede their customer connections?

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