Evolution of Collaborative Streaming Relationships
The streaming media landscape is evolving, with a significant shift towards collaboration and partnerships being observed, according to Maria Rua Aguete, Head of M&E at OMDIA. This change was highlighted at IBC2025.
While the data does not mention specific strategic partnerships between streaming services and broadcasters such as those between Netflix and TF1, Disney+ and ITVX, ZDF, and Atresmedia, it is clear that major players like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video are making their mark.
Netflix, for instance, has formed partnerships with TF1 in mainland France and Canal+ in Francophone Africa. Disney+, on the other hand, has agreements with ITVX in the UK, ZDF in Germany, and Spain's Atresmedia.
The widespread adoption of UHD TVs has not been matched by the availability of content produced in UHD. However, Omdia's research indicates that nearly 1 billion UHD TVs have been shipped worldwide, with the majority still in use. Over 30% of these UHD TVs are in China, suggesting a growing demand for high-quality content.
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, streaming video revenues are expected to surpass $1.2bn in 2024. By 2023, the OTT video streaming market in the MENA region had already grown by 13% and exceeded $1 billion in revenues. The leading players in the MENA region's OTT market are Shahid and StarzPlay, with significant market shares and innovative strategies.
The data does not provide information about the SVOD growth globally, which was previously reported to stagnate with single-digit growth becoming the norm by 2028. However, indirect net additions (through partnerships) are expected to dominate SVOD growth in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
Another interesting development is the rise of telco bundling. By 2030, telco bundling is expected to represent 23% of all SVOD subscriptions globally. Countries affected include various European nations, Francophone African countries, and Saudi Arabia, reflecting a broad global impact. Non-telco bundling will account for another 10% of subscriptions by 2030.
Approximately 25% of all paid SVOD subscriptions in CEE now originate from pay TV and telco bundles. This trend suggests a move towards a more integrated media ecosystem, where streaming services are increasingly being offered as part of larger entertainment packages.
This shift towards collaboration and bundling is part of a larger trend dubbed 'Streaming Max' by Omdia. This new research indicates that the streaming media landscape is evolving towards a more cooperative ecosystem, where partnerships and collaborations will play a crucial role in driving growth and innovation.
As the streaming media landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends unfold and how they impact the way we consume entertainment.
