Global SVoD subs ‘to hit 1.5bn by 2026’

Gross SVoD subscriptions and net SVoD subscribers (million)

Global SVoD subscriptions will hit 1.5 billion in the next five years, according to a report by UK analysis firm Digital TV Research.

The Global SVoD Forecasts report predicts that SVoD subscriptions for 138 countries will increase by 591 million, or 65%, between 2020 and 2026. The report identifies 2020 as the peak year for new subscribers, when 201 million users were added.

SVoD subscription growth is faster than growth in the number of SVoD subscribers, as some customers pay for more than one service. This means the average SVoD subscriber will pay for 2.14 SVoD subscriptions by 2026, up from 1.74 in 2020.

According to the report, the US will overtake China as the subscription leader this year. China and the US will together account for 48% of the global total by 2026, down from 59% in 2020, indicating that other countries are growing faster.

SVoD subscriptions in India are expected to almost triple between 2020 and 2026 to 155 million, representing 10% of the world’s total.

Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “There will be 700 million SVoD subscribers by 2026, up by 35% from 518 million at end-2020. The 2026 total represents 39% of TV households, increasing from 30% in 2020.”