Executive Summary

Video subscription revenues are continually rising. Cord-cutting is driving losses in pay TV revenues. Meanwhile, over-the-top (OTT) revenues are soaring after numerous media conglomerates launched their own streaming services.

How much money will be spent on video subscriptions in 2021?

This year, $119.69 billion will be spent on US video subscriptions, which includes revenues for pay TV and OTT providers.

What services have stood out in the virtual multichannel video programming distributor (vMVPD) space?

YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV have added the most subscribers, and this year these two products will receive three-fourths of all US vMVPD subscription revenues.

How fast are OTT subscription revenues growing?

In 2020, US OTT subscription revenues increased 41.2%, in part because the pandemic drove people to pay for more video services. This year, OTT subscription revenues will increase by 29.9%.

How does Netflix factor into the OTT subscription revenue forecast?

Netflix’s revenues are rising, but its share of total OTT revenues is declining as more companies enter this space. Netflix will account for 30.8% of all US OTT subscription revenues in 2021, down from 36.2% in 2020.

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? This report presents our first-ever forecast for US subscription video revenues and discusses trends occurring within pay TV and digital video.

KEY STAT: In 2021, US video subscription revenues will increase by 3.6% and reach $119.69 billion.