Inside The Stream

YouTube’s Q1 ad revenue approached $10 billion, up 11%, with subscriptions also growing strongly. And Howdy hit 1 million subscribers, as Roku flexes its distribution muscles.

Netflix reported more steady growth in Q1 as it transitions to maturity. But from advertising to gaming, and live sports to video podcasts, Netflix is staying opportunistic.

Roku now reaches 100 million households, but is far from owning the US market. New Hub data shows Roku and Amazon’s growing role in SVOD aggregation and the messy world of over-the-air TV.

Wurl’s GM of EMEA, Keith Bedford, joins us this week, explaining why FASTs have a big opportunity in streaming sports and some of the early success stories.

Netflix has the largest price gap between ad-free and ad-supported tiers as it also seeks more sports. Ampere forecasts global streaming revenue will exceed $200 billion in 2030.

New Deloitte data highlights the popularity of ad tiers, CTV commerce gets a boost from Walmart and Vizio, the Disney-OpenAI deal is over, and Netflix streams MLB’s opening game.

New Hub data show that ad-supported viewing is gaining acceptance, especially among younger viewers, with sports leading the charge. And creators match premium shows on TV. HP launches a FAST for PCs. 

YouTube is now the world’s biggest media company, eclipsing Disney, according to MoffettNathanson. And how to solve the problem of navigating streaming sports.

Paramount Skydance plans to eventually combine its streaming platforms with WBD’s. Is this the right strategy?  Combining CNN and CBS News, and reliance on linear TV, are also challenges.

New Antenna data highlights how SVOD is maturing and how bundling is critical. Nielsen’s data reveal potential TV audience shifts due to the just-announced WBD-Paramount Skydance deal.