What Streaming Wars? Five Services Control 83% of Connected TV Viewing

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LightShed Partners finds that Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video have two thirds of U.S. OTT usage

While there’s a popular perception that the video streaming market is viciously competitive and full of relevant aspirants, the data tells a slightly more monopolistic story.

Using Comscore data from July, equity research company LightShed Partners found that only five streaming services control 83% of U.S. connected TV usage. 

Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video combine to control 64%.

“Investors and the press would lead one to believe that there was an intense streaming war underway with the new entrants utilizing their vast libraries of content, lower prices (sometimes even free with ads) and cross-marketing scale leveraging their other portfolio assets to take share from streaming incumbents,” LightShed said in a note to investors. “Yet, streaming share of time spent tells a very different story.”

(Image credit: LightShed Partners)
Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!