In this article, we’ll discuss the 15 biggest streaming and TV companies in the US.
Video streaming has taken the world by storm over the past five years. By taking advantage of faster internet speeds, companies in the entertainment industry have gradually transitioned to streaming in one way or another. According to Deloitte’s Digital Media Trends Survey, 16th edition, around 60% of US households subscribed to at least one video streaming service in 2018. Moreover, in 2022, Fortune Business Insights valued the global video streaming market at USD 455.45 billion, and it is anticipated to reach USD 1.9 trillion by 2030, demonstrating a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.3% throughout the forecast period.
What fuels the video streaming industry’s growth?
One key factor is the convenience and accessibility it offers to consumers. With the ability to stream content on-demand, viewers can tailor their entertainment experiences to their schedules, eliminating the need to adhere to traditional broadcast timings. Furthermore, the proliferation of smartphones and smart TVs has made it easier than ever for users to access streaming services from virtually anywhere.
Additionally, the industry’s expansion into original content production and exclusive licensing deals has been a significant driver of its success. Remarkably, approximately 57% of U.S. consumers subscribe to streaming services primarily to access this unique content.
The major players in the video streaming industry
The video streaming industry has seen significant growth in recent years, with major players investing heavily in content creation and technological advancements. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s YouTube TV, Prime Video, Hulu, the Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)’s Disney+, and Paramount+ stand as the foremost streaming platforms in the United States.
Netflix, the streaming media giant with a substantial market capitalization of $197 billion, has been making headlines recently with its strategy of introducing an ad-supported tier to attract new users. A company executive reported that the ad-supported tier currently boasts nearly 5 million monthly active users worldwide. According to Forbes, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) might ultimately amass 30 million subscribers for its ad-supported tier in the United States.
Aristotle Atlantic Partners, an investment management firm, recently issued its second-quarter 2023 investor letter, wherein they shared their insights on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX). In a remarkable performance, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) has delivered a 44.39% return since the beginning of the year, with a 12-month return of 89.32%. As of July 28, 2023, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) stood at $425.78 per share. In their Q2 2023 investor letter, Aristotle Atlantic Partners provides valuable insights into the company’s performance and said:
“We initiated a position in Netflix and see new initiatives and further international expansion which can reaccelerate subscriber additions. The company recently introduced an advertising-supported membership plan that should enable it to augment revenue growth by tapping into the growing market for digital advertising while not cannibalizing its existing subscriptiononly plans. In addition, the company has recently implemented password-sharing restrictions, suggesting that the conversion of former password sharers to paying subscribers is tracking much better than expected. Netflix has led the transition from traditional linear TV to streaming and remains the dominant platform globally.”
Following in the footsteps of Netflix, the Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)’s Disney+, yet another major player in the streaming industry, has also revealed plans to introduce an ad-supported subscription tier. While the Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has faced recent financial challenges, CEO Robert Iger provided insightful commentary on Disney+’s performance during the latest the Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)’s earnings call. He shared,
“Even amid a challenging ad market, this quarter, we began seeing early signs of improvement. And I’m pleased to announce that as of the end of Q3, we’ve signed up 3.3 million subscribers to our ad-supported Disney+ option. Since its inception, 40% of new Disney+ subscribers are choosing an ad-supported product. On our pricing strategy, this year alone, we’ve raised prices in nearly 50 countries around the world to better reflect the value of our product offerings, and the impact on churn and retention has outperformed our expectations.”
Considering the wealth of information presented thus far, you may be curious about which companies dominate video streaming in the US. To unveil the top players and the 15 biggest streaming and TV companies in the US, continue reading.
Our Methodology
We have ranked our list of the streaming and TV companies in the US by their estimated revenues in 2022. The estimated revenue figures are the product of subscriber count for each of these platforms and the average subscription fees on these platforms for 12 months ending December, 2022.
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15 biggest streaming and TV companies in the US
Here is the list of the 15 biggest streaming and TV companies in the US.
15. SlingTV
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $1 billion
Sling TV, an American streaming television service, made its debut in 2015 and is managed by Sling TV LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dish Network Corp (NASDAQ:DISH). It continues to offer one of the more budget-friendly options for live TV streaming, beginning with base-level packages priced at $40 per month. Sling TV was integrated into Dish Network Corp (NASDAQ:DISH) upon its launch, a publicly-traded American television provider offering satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services. However, Sling TV has faced challenges in retaining subscribers, experiencing a decline in its subscriber base over recent quarters. It is one of the biggest streaming and TV companies in the US.
14. fuboTV Inc. (NYSE:FUBO)
2022 Revenue: $1 billion
fuboTV Inc. (NYSE:FUBO), a live TV streaming service renowned for its extensive channel lineup spanning news, sports, lifestyle, kids’ content, and entertainment, offers a traditional TV-like experience without the accompanying fees and boasts a user-friendly interface. In contrast to on-demand platforms like Netflix and Hulu, fuboTV Inc. (NYSE:FUBO) specializes in live TV streaming, with pricing that is slightly higher than on-demand services but still more economical than traditional cable TV.
13. Crunchyroll
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $1.2 billion
Crunchyroll, an American subscription-based streaming service, specializes in distributing East Asian media, particularly Japanese anime and films. It became part of the Sony Group Corporation in 2021, and by August 2021, it had garnered over 5 million paying subscribers, with a reported 10 million global users according to Sony. Crunchyroll offers various subscription plans, including a free ad-supported option with limited access and paid plans ranging from $7.99 to $14.99 per month. The platform has been actively expanding its anime and manga content library, a strategy that has proven effective in both attracting new users and retaining its existing fanbase.
12. Peacock
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $1.5 billion
Peacock is an American streaming platform accessible over the internet, owned and operated by Peacock TV, LLC, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. It made its debut on July 15, 2020, offering a wide range of series and movies sourced from NBCUniversal studios and various third-party content providers. This includes television series, films, news, and sports programming. While Peacock is primarily available in the United States and certain parts of Europe. It is one of the top streaming companies in the US.
11. DIRECTV Stream
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $1.7 billion
DIRECTV Stream is a live TV streaming service provided by DIRECTV, a well-known name in satellite television. It used to go by the name of AT&T TV until it was rebranded in August 2021. DIRECTV Stream offers a wide range of sports channels, including regional sports networks, along with local broadcast channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.
10. YouTube TV
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $1.8 billion
YouTube TV, a U.S. streaming service, started on February 28, 2017, under YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG). It offers live TV channels, on-demand content, and a cloud DVR from 100+ networks. Initially, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s YouTube TV was launched in 5 major cities, then it expanded to 98% of U.S. households by Jan 2019 and is now available nationwide with 2.1 million subscribers as of June 2, 2023.
9. Starz
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $1.9 billion
Starz is a popular streaming service, owned by Lionsgate, known for its unique movies and original shows. It’s similar to HBO and Showtime but also offers online streaming for people in the U.S. and around the world. Starz makes its own shows and has lots of movies and TV series, including new ones and old favorites. It also has two other channels called Starz Encore and MoviePlex.
8. ESPN+
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $2.6 billion
ESPN+ is an American sports-centric subscription-based streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company’s ESPN division, in conjunction with ESPN Inc., a joint venture primarily held by The Walt Disney Company (controlling 80%) and Hearst Communications (remaining 20%). The platform is dedicated to sports content, offering live games, exclusive on-demand videos, original programming, and in-depth analysis.
7. AppleTV+
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $3 billion
Apple TV+ is a streaming service that presents a range of original movies, TV series, and documentaries, along with select third-party content. The platform’s significant focus on producing original content has been instrumental in both drawing in new users and retaining its existing audience. Notably, Apple TV+ sets itself apart from on-demand giants like Netflix and Hulu by providing a more curated collection of original content.
6. Hulu
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $5.7 billion
Hulu is a subscription-based streaming service known for its extensive collection of movies, TV shows, and exclusive content. Launched in 2008, it emerged as a collaborative effort among multiple media companies, including News Corporation, NBC Universal, Providence Equity Partners, and The Walt Disney Company. Hulu primarily caters to users in the United States, offering a diverse content library featuring ABC, NBC, FX, CBS, and more.
5. Paramount+
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $8 billion
Paramount+ stands as a streaming service within the Paramount Global family, offering subscription-based, on-demand internet streaming. Its content primarily derives from CBS Media Ventures, CBS Studios, Paramount Media Networks, and Paramount Pictures, encompassing original series, films, live sports coverage, and, within the United States, live broadcasts of local CBS stations. Although it’s a relatively recent entrant, launching in March 2021 as a rebranding of CBS All Access, Paramount+ has swiftly expanded. It gained almost 700,000 new subscribers during Q2 2023 and exceeded 61 million subscribers following its merger with Showtime. Furthermore, Paramount+ is actively investing in content creation and production, with the aim of both attracting and retaining its user base.
4. HBO Max
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $13.2 billion
HBO Max is a streaming service that combines content from HBO’s cable channel with exclusive shows and movies from Warner Bros. Discovery. It also offers original series, films, live sports coverage, and, within the U.S., live streams of local HBO stations. HBO Max is accessible in the United States, Latin America, and select parts of Europe. Additionally, it’s compatible with a wide range of platforms, including smart TVs, connected TV devices, online access, mobile devices, gaming consoles, and leading OTT providers. As of Q2 2023, HBO Max had reached a global subscriber count of 69.4 million, with a significant increase of over 10 million new subscribers during that quarter.
3. Disney+
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $13.5 billion
Disney+ is a well-known streaming platform introduced in November 2019, becoming a vital part of Disney’s expanding direct-to-consumer portfolio, which also encompasses ESPN+, Hulu, and Hotstar. While Disney+ may offer a more modest content library compared to giants like Netflix or Amazon, its forte lies in delivering high-quality content through partnerships with Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel. As of March 2021, Disney+ had amassed an impressive subscriber base of over 100 million users, solidifying its position as a primary choice for consumers alongside Netflix and Amazon Prime. Furthermore, Disney+ aspires to become the world’s largest streaming service, with a target of reaching 260 million subscribers by 2024.
2. Amazon Prime Video
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $17.5 billion
Amazon Prime Video offers an extensive library of movies and TV shows, making it a preferred destination for entertainment enthusiasts. The platform has made significant investments in creating exclusive series that aren’t available on other platforms, attracting new users and retaining its existing audience. Thanks to these endeavors, Amazon Prime Video has become the dominant player in the streaming industry, holding a substantial market share and a large subscriber base.
1. Netflix
Revenue: $31.6 billion
Netflix is the largest streaming company globally, with over 232 million subscribers as of the first quarter of 2023. It’s also the most popular video streaming service in many countries, having more than 220 million customers in 78 nations. A survey commissioned by Forbes Home found that 90% of American consumers subscribe to streaming services, making them very popular. Additionally, Netflix was the first to start mainstream streaming in 2007, and it has been a leader in the industry ever since.
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