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State of the Screens

60% of Streaming’s Growth Is From Ad-Supported

By September 25, 2023No Comments

Seven big questions re: how we watch TV:

1) Is broadcast/cable gaining ground on streaming?
2) What is the most popular starting point for watching TV?
3) How many households watch ad-supported streaming?
4) How much time do we spend with ad-supported streaming?
5) Which age groups watch the most ad-supported streaming?
6) Which streaming networks generate the most viewing time?
7) Which streaming networks account for the highest share of total TV?

Big question #1: Is broadcast/cable gaining ground on streaming?

Share of total TV time according to Nielsen:

1) Streaming – 39%
2) Cable – 30%
3) Broadcast – 20%
4) Other – 12%

time spent with linear

Big question #2: What is the most popular starting point for watching TV?

The most popular starting point for watching TV, according to Hub Research:
1) Live TV – 46%
2) Big 5 Streamers – 40%
3) Any other Streamer – 5%

tv starting point

Big question #3: How many households watch ad-supported streaming?

% change in reach by revenue model according to Comscore:

1) Ad-supported – ↑ 17%
2) Subscription – ↑ 9%

ad supported adoption

Big question #4: How much time do we spend with ad-supported streaming?

Share of total TV time by streaming type according to Entertainment Strategy Guy:
1) Subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) – 21%
2) Ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) – 10%
3) Free ad-supported streaming (FAST) – 2%

YoY change for total TV time by streaming type:
1) FAST – ↑ 71%
2) AVOD – ↑ 27%
3) SVOD – ↑ 19%

 

nielsen gauge over time

Big question #5: Which age groups watch the most ad-supported streaming?

Share of free ad-supported streaming (FAST) time according to TVision:
1) 55+ – 45%
2) 35-49 – 29%
3) 50-54 – 13%
4) 25-34 – 6%
5) < 18 – 6%
6) 18-24 – 1%

US FAST by age group

Big question #6: Which streaming networks generate the most viewing time?

Total monthly hours of viewing time according to SportsTVRatings:
1) YouTube (ad-supported) – 4.3B
2) Netflix – 4.0B
3) Hulu – 2.3B
4) Amazon – 1.6B
5) Disney+ – 926M

networks

Big question #7: Which streaming networks account for the highest share of total TV?

Share of total TV time (streaming only):
1) YouTube – 9%
2) Netflix – 8%
3) Hulu – 4%
4) Amazon Prime – 3%
5) Disney+ – 2%
6) Tubi – 1%
7) HBO Max – 1%
8) Peacock – 1%
9) Roku Channel – 1%
10) Paramount+ – 1%
11) PlutoTV – 1%
12) Other – 5%

youtube growth

Michael Beach

Michael Beach is the Chief Executive Officer of Cross Screen Media, a media analytics and software company that enables marketers to plan, activate, and measure CTV and linear TV at the local level. Michael is also the founder and editor of State of the Screens, a weekly newsletter focused on video advertising that is a must-read for thought leaders in the advertising industry. He has appeared in such publications as PBS Frontline, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Axios, CNBC and Bloomberg, and on NPR’s Planet Money podcast.