Global Streaming Trends 2024: Insights and Key Updates

Global Streaming Services Insights

The streaming industry continues to evolve, with platforms expanding, consolidating, and launching innovative services. Multiscreens+ Platform Essentials offers a comprehensive look into over 121,000 on-demand and live streaming platforms globally. It’s the go-to report for uncovering global streaming services insights, exploring regional shifts, and staying updated on key trends in Media and Entertainment.

Plus, explore detailed platform profiles through BB Media’s Streaming Services Directory by clicking platform names!

Global Trends: New Services and Strategic Shifts in Streaming

Samsung TV+ Restricts Access: Samsung has shut down the web version of its free streaming service, Samsung TV+, restricting access exclusively to Samsung smart TVs and mobile apps. The website now serves as a channel guide without streaming capabilities. Samsung has not disclosed the reason for this change. 

Circuits Brings African Films Worldwide: Circuits, a global premium video-on-demand platform, has launched to deliver high-quality African films through a pay-per-view model. Accessible on all internet-connected devices, Circuits curates 5–10 unreleased films monthly, each available for 12 weeks. 

X TV Expands Device Compatibility: Elon Musk’s X TV, blending traditional TV and streaming, is now compatible with devices such as Amazon Fire TV, LG webOS, Android TV, and Google TV. Currently in beta, X TV offers free features like Replay TV, Startover TV, and cloud recording. The platform will soon be integrated within the X ecosystem. 

CNBC+ Goes Global in 2025: Launching globally in 2025, CNBC+ will be a subscription-based service focused on economic news. Offering a livestream of the CNBC channel without original content, the platform aims to provide affordable access to existing programming without competing directly with major streamers. 

WST Play Brings Snooker to Fans: WST Play is set to debut on January 7, 2025, offering live and on-demand snooker coverage, exclusive content, and membership perks like ticket discounts. Replacing Matchroom Live, WST Play targets regions without broadcast deals, with pricing details forthcoming. 

The World Games Live Debuts in July 2025: The World Games Live will launch in July 2025, ahead of the 12th edition of The World Games in Chengdu, China, from August 7–17, 2025. This platform, developed by ISB and Ztudium, will stream all 35 sports live, showcasing 5,000 athletes from over 100 countries. 

Europe: Consolidation and Expansion

Discovery+ Consolidates with Max in Spain: Discovery+ ceased operations in Spain on December 9, 2024, with its content integrated into Max. This consolidation aligns with Warner Bros. Discovery’s efforts to streamline its streaming portfolio in the region. 

MNE Play Expands Montenegrin Services: Montenegro’s MNE Play offers live TV, on-demand content, and streaming solutions for local TV stations. Accessible via web, mobile, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, and Android TV, the platform aims to expand its device compatibility soon. 

Divergente Brings Short Films to Spain: Targeting young audiences, Divergente is a Spanish platform for short productions under 59 minutes. Offering ad-supported thriller, comedy, and sci-fi content, it plans international expansion and is accessible on web, Smart TVs, and mobile devices. 

Max Rebrands BluTV in Turkey: Warner Bros. Discovery will launch Max in Turkey in spring 2025, replacing BluTV. The rebranded platform combines HBO’s premium content with Discovery’s programming and localized BluTV offerings. 

Digi TV Introduces Affordable Streaming in Spain: Digi Communications launched Digi TV in Spain for €7/month, providing channels like AXN and Warner TV. The service supports multi-device playback and includes features like 7-day catch-up, pause, and rewind. 

Latin America: Evolving Platforms 

Sony One Partners with MODO in Argentina: Sony Pictures Television has introduced Sony One in Argentina through a partnership with MODO. The platform offers a curated selection of Sony Pictures content, with MODO users receiving three months of complimentary access during the launch promotion. 

Discovery+ Content Shifts to Max in Brazil: In Brazil, Discovery+ will shut down on January 31, 2025, with its content migrating to the Max platform as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s global strategy to consolidate streaming services. 

Asia: Innovative Formats and Modernization

Fany : D Delivers Quick Stories in Japan: Japan’s Yoshimoto Kogyo has introduced Fany :D, a shortform drama platform with 1–3 minute episodes on themes like revenge and love. Initially free, the service will charge for access to new episodes and plans to expand into webtoons and TV dramas. 

Waves Modernizes India’s Public Broadcasts: India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati launched WAVES, a free streaming services offering multilingual content across Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu. Available on Android and iOS devices, WAVES reflects the government’s push for digital modernization. 

BB Media’s analysis highlights the expanding landscape of global streaming services and their strategic approaches to audience engagement. Download the report to explore further insights into the Media and Entertainment industry.

ABOUT BB MEDIA 

BB Media is a global Data Science company, specialising in Media and Entertainment for over 37 years. BB Media monitors more than 4,500 streaming services across 250 countries and territories, including their prices, plans, bundles, and commercial offers. In addition, it monitors all movie and series catalogues, including standard metadata. Streaming services, networks, programmers, cable operators, agencies, advertisers, studios, distributors, content apps, and tech companies rely on BB Media’s valuable information and analysis to make strategic decisions.

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