Global Streaming Updates: Key Changes in January 2025

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 updates, 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: Market Exits and New Streaming Strategies

Venu Sports Project Canceled Before Launch 

Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have canceled Venu Sports, a planned sports streaming service. The project faced delays due to legal disputes with Fubo. Despite resolving the lawsuit, the companies opted to discontinue development. 

CNN Max to Introduce a Global News Streaming Service 

CNN is launching CNN Max, a standalone streaming platform focused on global news coverage. The service will be accessible across multiple devices, expanding CNN’s digital-first strategy beyond its Max offering. 

WST Play Replaces Matchroom Live Globally 

WST has launched WST Play, a new streaming platform replacing Matchroom Live. The service offers over 250 matches from the 2024/25 season alongside exclusive content. While Champion of Champions and Championship League Snooker will be available for free on YouTube, the 2024 UK Championship will initially be unavailable to UK subscribers. 

Asia: Market Shifts and Service Closures 

GtTV Ceases Operations in Taiwan 

GtTV, a subscription-based streaming service launched in 2014, has shut down. The platform struggled with increasing competition and shifting market trends. 

Europe: Subscription Restructuring and Service Migrations

Viaplay Introduces Four Subscription Tiers in the Netherlands 

Viaplay is launching new pricing plans, including a Basic plan with ads for EUR 19.99 per month. The ad-free Standard plan costs EUR 21.99 per month, with discounts for annual subscriptions. Existing users will transition to the ad-supported tier in March. 

Paramount+ Expands Subscription Options in Germany 

Paramount+ in Germany is adding ad-supported plans alongside its current ad-free option. The new model introduces streaming limits and potential quality upgrades, including 4K and Dolby Atmos. These changes will take effect by late February. 

NOW to Transition to NBCUniversal’s Platform 

Sky’s streaming service, NOW, will undergo a major update in February. The migration will introduce Top 10 lists, Sky Sports+ streams, and kids’ profiles. The transition starts in the UK and Ireland on February 18, followed by Germany and Italy. 

Latin America: Streaming Expansions and New Free Platforms

América tvGO Goes Free in Peru 

Starting January 2025, América tvGO will no longer require a subscription. The service will be available for free with ads. Viewers must register on tvgo.pe to access shows 24 hours after airing. Popular content includes Estás en todas and Cuarto Poder. 

ViX Premium Launches Ad-Supported Plan in Colombia and Peru 

ViX Premium has introduced a lower-cost, ad-supported subscription tier. The plan costs USD 1.90 in Colombia and USD 2.40 in Peru. It allows access on two devices, compared to the ad-free plan’s four-device limit. 

Canal RCN Debuts Free Streaming Service in Peru 

RCN launched Canal RCN, a free streaming platform featuring live TV, catch-up content, and FAST channels. Available on mobile, smart TVs, and the web, the service arrives ahead of La Casa de los Famosos season two. Interactive features like voting and trivia will enhance user engagement. 

Addicta TV to Launch in February Across Latin America 

A new ad-supported platform, Addicta TV, will debut in beta in February 2025. It will offer over 100 hours of independent Latin American content from Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. The service aims to help creators monetize their productions internationally. 

Discovery+ to Shut Down in Brazil, Content Moves to Max 

Warner Bros. Discovery will discontinue Discovery+ in Brazil on January 31, 2025. Its content, including shows from Discovery and TLC, will integrate into Max. 

BB Media’s Platform Essentials Report delivers exclusive insights into global streaming updates. Stay informed about industry shifts, platform expansions, and key market exits.

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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