Streaming subscription revenue tops $150 billion milestone

Global streaming subscription revenue surpassed $150 billion in 2025, reaching $157.1 billion, according to new research from Ampere Analysis.

The total marked a 14% increase year over year and has tripled since 2020.

The firm said international expansion, price increases and the rollout of ad-supported tiers contributed to the growth. Platforms are increasingly prioritizing monetization strategies as subscriber growth stabilizes in mature markets.

Subscription revenue is projected to grow by 29% over the next five years, surpassing $200 billion globally by 2030. The United States remained the largest market, accounting for 50% of global streaming subscription revenue in 2025.

Netflix was the largest contributor in the U.S. market, with revenue rising 14% in 2025 following price increases introduced earlier in the year.

Ad-supported tiers played a growing role in revenue generation, particularly in North America and Western Europe. These tiers accounted for 28% of total subscription revenue in 2025, up from less than 5% in 2020, reflecting a broader shift toward hybrid subscription and advertising models.

Including advertising revenue, streaming services generated $177 billion globally in 2025. Advertising is expected to contribute an additional $42 billion annually by 2030 as adoption of ad tiers increases and platforms expand ad loads.

“As the streaming market matures, the emphasis is no longer on pure subscriber growth but on extracting greater value from existing audiences,” Lauren Liversedge, senior analyst at Ampere Analysis, said. “Price optimisation and the rise of ad-supported tiers are driving revenue growth, particularly in the most competitive markets.”

Advertisement