In this article, we take a look at the 5 biggest online streaming companies in the world. If you want to check out our detailed analysis on the streaming industry, go instead to 10 Biggest Online Streaming Companies in the World.
5. HBO Max
Number of Subscribers: 76.8 Million
HBO Max is a stand-alone streaming service owned and operated by Warner Bros Discovery, Inc (NASDAQ:WBD). It combines libraries from HBO and Warner Bros along with content from many other creators the most prominent of which include Adult Swim, DC Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Sesame Workshop, Sony Pictures and Crunchyroll.
Original content produced at Warner Bros Discovery, Inc (NASDAQ:WBD)’s streaming service includes films, series and specials and is called Max Originals. However, the streaming service abstains from promoting binge-watching and releases series content episodically.
Several of HBO Max’s films and series have seen huge success with the audience. According to Nielsen, the movie Wonder Woman 1984 amassed almost 2.3 billion minutes streamed by US viewers. Another of HBO’s series Game of Thrones, streamed on Warner Bros Discovery, Inc (NASDAQ:WBD)’s HBO Max, was a huge success with an average of 46 million viewers across all its seasons.
4. Disney+
Number of Subscribers: 129.8 Million
Disney+ is an over-the-top video-on-demand streaming service like most others on the list of biggest streaming companies in the world. What sets it apart is that it’s the third most popular video-on-demand service. It is owned and operated by the media and entertainment distribution division of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS).
Disney Plus is also one of the fastest growing streaming services in the world. It gained 95 million subscribers in just over a year of its launch in November 2019. The intense popularity was the result of the conclusion of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s phase 3 which included movie series like Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy which saw immense popularity with the audience across the globe. The phase concluded in April, 2019 with the release of Avengers: Endgame. However, the huge popularity of the phase led to spin-off shows that were aired on Disney+ after its launch in November, 2019. The shows included The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, WandaVision and Loki.
Each of the three shows amassed hundreds of millions of minutes streamed according to Nielsen. Disney Plus does not have a free offer and charges as of Q1 of 2022, the streaming service generated $4.41 per paying subscriber.
3. Spotify
Number of Subscribers: 182 Million
The third on the list of biggest online streaming companies in the world is Spotify. It is a Swedish streaming company that streams music and podcasts. However, some of the music and podcasts are audio only. As of the Q1 of 2022, Spotify had 182 million subscribers, one of the highest numbers in the streaming industry.
The company generated a revenue of $2.8 billion in the first quarter of 2022 and hosts as well as streams various popular podcasts including The Joe Rogan Experience, one of the most popular podcasts on Spotify, though one that attracted controversy . Other than that, various high-profile singers put their music on the streaming service, including Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Drake and Eminem to name a few.
Spotify offers both free and premium options. Both options provide equal access to content but premium users have the privilege of early access to exclusive content or new music release while free users would have to wait for a few weeks for the same. Also, there’s no ads in the premium option.
2. Amazon Prime
Number of Subscribers: 200 Million
Amazon Prime is an over-the-top stand alone streaming service offered by Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). The video-on-demand streaming service has just over 200 million subscribers across the world.
Bosch, Alpha House and The Tick are some of the popular originals on Amazon Prime. It costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
1. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)
Number of Subscribers: 221.64 Million
When it comes to the biggest online streaming companies in the world, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) wins hands-down owing to the sheer number of subscribers it has across the world. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) was launched in August, 1997 in Scotts Valley, California by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph.
It did not directly start out as a streaming service given that internet back then was frustratingly slow. Instead, the founders created a Brick and Mortar store where they’d keep DVDs and started Netflix to give members access to the list of DVDs available which they could then rent.
However, when it did switch the business model, it was one of the first video-on-demand streaming services in the world. Contrary to what most might think, Netflix gained in popularity rather gradually after it picked up pace around 2013. A lot of shows on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) have enjoyed immense popularity around the world with many of its shows, characters becoming pop culture icons.
Some of the most popular originals to stream on Netflix include Lucifer, Peaky Blinders, Money Heist and Squid Games. Squid Games was arguably one of the most popular shows in streaming history. According to Nielsen, it amassed a record 3 billion minutes streamed in just a week, from September 27 to October 3 in 2021. Despite the rising competition, the streaming company is going strong. In its 2022’s Q1 earnings report, it showed a revenue of $7.87 billion.
When it comes to the business model, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is a fully paid service and offers three plans, i.e basic, standard and premium. Basic option goes for $9.99 per month, the standard one goes for $15.49 and premium goes for $19.99 per month.
You can also take a peek at 5 Best Movies on Amazon Prime and 5 Most Valuable Entertainment Companies in the World
