Subscription Streaming Services vs. Free with Ads: Where Do Users Spend Most of Their Time?

Streaming services are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for entertainment worldwide. But when given the option between subscription streaming services and free with ads platforms, how do users decide? BB Media’s latest analysis explores global viewing habits, focusing on how users allocate their time between these two revenue models.

 

Regional Differences in Viewing Habits 

Users across UCAN, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC tend to binge-watch online content, with weekends being the most popular time. While 60% of users in all regions watch 1 to 2 episodes on weekdays, this figure rises to 4 or more episodes on weekends. The question remains: do these habits differ between subscription streaming services and free with ads platforms? 

 

Subscription Streaming Services vs. Free with Ads 

Globally, users spend more time on subscription streaming services compared to free with ads platforms. Notably, APAC and UCAN users lead in weekly hours spent watching online content across both models. While users in EMEA watch both revenue models at the same daily frequency, other regions showed a slight preference for free with ads, particularly in APAC where it reached 7%.

Which Platforms Dominate by Region? 

In terms of subscription streaming services, Netflix dominates across UCAN, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC (excluding China), with users clocking the most hours on the platform. As for free with ads platforms, regional leaders vary: 

• UCAN: Tubi leads with 4 hours per week. 
• EMEA: Pluto TV takes the top spot with users averaging 2 hours per week. 
• LATAM: Pluto TV leads with 3 hours per week. 
• APAC: Zee5 is the preferred choice for free with ads, with users spending 3 hours per week on the service. 

Interested in a deeper dive into global user preferences for subscription streaming services and free with ads platforms? Contact BB Media at [email protected] for tailored insights. 

Sources 

BB Media |  Online Media Essentials

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.

BB Media has offices in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Italy, and the Netherlands.