Viewers in today’s world are presented with an overwhelming array of choices when seeking entertainment. From live television options to free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) providers, the digital landscape is rich with content. However, pinpointing the “best” streaming services is a complex task. While subscriber numbers offer a quantitative comparison, they don’t fully capture the user experience, content quality, or overall value of each service, especially considering global availability varies. Ultimately, the true measure of a streaming service lies in its programming catalog and whether it offers content that resonates with individual viewers.
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Nevertheless, examining total subscriber counts provides valuable insights into the global performance and reach of each service. This overview delves into the top 10 streaming platforms based on their reported subscriber numbers, ranging from industry giants like Netflix and Hulu to the growing “plusses” such as Disney+, Paramount+, and Apple TV+.
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The following ranking is primarily based on publicly disclosed information from the streaming services themselves or their parent companies, offering a snapshot of the Most Popular Streaming Services by subscriber volume.
10. Starz: 15.08 Million
Starz, the dedicated streaming service from Lionsgate studio, offers a movie-centric catalog.
Starz stands as a movie-focused streaming service with a long-standing presence in the market. Often encountered through trial subscriptions, Starz holds a significant position, particularly as the official streaming platform of Lionsgate studio. Despite a global reach, Starz reported 15.08 million subscribers as of Summer 2024, according to Lionsgate’s quarterly earnings. This figure represents a decrease of over 800,000 subscribers since December 2023, indicating a fluctuating subscriber base in the competitive streaming environment.
9. ESPN+: 25.6 Million
ESPN+ provides exclusive on-demand content and live sports events beyond traditional television broadcasts.
ESPN+, owned by Disney, presents a compelling subscription streaming service model. It uniquely blends live sports, encompassing both professional and collegiate levels, with original on-demand programming. Furthermore, ESPN+ serves as a streaming extension for subscribers with traditional ESPN access through cable, satellite, or services like YouTube TV.
While ESPN+ does not grant standalone access to the main ESPN channel and primarily features sports not typically shown on ESPN’s linear broadcasts, it unlocks a vast world of live sports content. From college sports to MMA and UFC events, German Bundesliga soccer to niche sports like pickleball, ESPN+ offers a diverse range of live sporting action.
Launched in Spring 2018, ESPN+ rapidly gained traction, reaching one million subscribers within five months. Its growth trajectory has been consistently upward, now boasting 25.6 million paid subscribers as of Disney’s fiscal Q4 2024 earnings report. This growth is partly fueled by standalone subscriptions but significantly boosted by the Disney Bundle, which combines Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ at a cost-effective price point.
The future of ESPN and ESPN+ is poised for further evolution. Plans for a standalone ESPN streaming service are set for Fall 2025. Prior to this, ESPN+ will integrate into the main Disney+ app by the end of 2024. Additionally, ESPN is part of a collaborative venture bringing together live sports rights from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, with a combined streaming service launching in Fall 2024, further reshaping the sports streaming landscape.
8. Apple TV+: 25 Million (Estimated)
Apple TV+ features exclusive original content and live sports like MLS Season Pass, attracting a dedicated audience.
Apple TV+’s subscriber numbers are not officially disclosed. Consistent with Apple’s general practice for its product lines, specific subscriber figures are not released in earnings reports or public statements. Therefore, subscriber counts for Apple TV+ are largely based on estimations.
Current estimates place Apple TV+ at around 25 million paid subscribers. It’s important to note that a significant number of users access Apple TV+ through trial periods linked to Apple hardware purchases. Nevertheless, the absence of official figures necessitates a degree of caution when interpreting these numbers.
Despite the lack of precise data, the subscriber base is anticipated to grow, driven by factors such as the exclusive availability of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ and the high-profile signing of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, which significantly boosted viewership during the 2023 season.
Furthermore, Apple TV+’s catalog of acclaimed original series, including Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, Lessons in Chemistry, For All Mankind, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, alongside exclusive films, positions it as a strong contender in the streaming market, ensuring its continued relevance and appeal.
7. Peacock: 36 Million
Peacock, the streaming service from NBC, features NBCUniversal content and live sports like Premier League soccer.
Peacock represents NBCUniversal’s entry into the streaming arena. While its initial journey was marked by challenges, including the cancellation of some original exclusives due to low viewership, NBCUniversal has remained committed to the platform. As of Q3 2024, Peacock has achieved a substantial 36 million paid subscribers, a notable increase from 31 million at the close of 2023 and a remarkable surge from 9 million at the end of 2021, as reported in Comcast’s earnings.
Peacock’s growth trajectory defies initial skepticism, demonstrating its increasing popularity. This success is likely attributable to its competitive pricing and its position as the exclusive U.S. streaming home for the English Premier League. Beyond sports, Peacock offers a diverse content library, ensuring a wide array of viewing options for its expanding subscriber base.
6. Hulu: 51.1 Million
Hulu, now fully under Disney’s ownership, maintains a distinct content library with offerings beyond Disney+.
Hulu has undergone significant transformations throughout its existence, encompassing content offerings and ownership structures. Currently, Disney holds complete ownership and control of Hulu, solidifying its position after acquiring a substantial stake through the purchase of 21st Century Fox.
Hulu is recognized for its curated selection of on-demand content, including critically acclaimed series such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building. It also boasts a rich catalog of on-demand content, particularly from the Fox library. Hulu’s on-demand service accounts for 51.3 million paid subscribers. Adding complexity, Hulu content is now accessible within Disney+ for subscribers to both services, although the content libraries remain distinct.
Furthermore, Hulu operates the second-largest live TV streaming service in the U.S., with 4.4 million subscribers, according to Disney’s Q3 2024 earnings. This represents a slight decrease of approximately 100,000 subscribers from the previous quarter. Hulu + Live TV subscribers are automatically enrolled in the Disney bundle and are counted as subscribers to Disney+ and ESPN+ as well, highlighting the interconnectedness of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.
5. Paramount+: 72 Million
Paramount+ is a global streaming service backed by major studios, featuring a wide range of content.
Paramount+, backed by a major studio, maintains a significant global presence in the streaming landscape. Despite industry speculation about potential consolidation, Paramount+ remains a standalone entity.
The service leverages a vast content portfolio from major brands under the Paramount umbrella, including CBS, the premium network Showtime (now integrated directly into Paramount+), Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET. Paramount+ also serves as a streaming platform for sports content, including Champions League soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Notably, it is the primary streaming destination for Star Trek franchise content.
Paramount’s Q3 2024 earnings report indicated 72 million subscribers for Paramount+, reflecting a growth of approximately 6.5% year-over-year. Despite its growth and content library, rumors persist regarding potential mergers or acquisitions involving Paramount, though no concrete developments have materialized.
4. Max: 110 Million (Aggregated)
Max has evolved through several transformations and now represents Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming efforts.
Max has undergone the most extensive transformation in the streaming sector. Originating as HBO Go and HBO Now, it transitioned to HBO Max and subsequently rebranded to Max following the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery, forming Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
WBD’s Q3 2024 earnings report cites 110 million direct-to-consumer subscribers. However, this figure represents an aggregate of subscribers across WBD’s streaming services, including Discovery+, legacy HBO and HBO Max subscribers, and the current Max service. This consolidated number complicates direct comparisons with other platforms.
Max continues to evolve its content offerings, recently incorporating more news content through CNN Max and sports programming via the Bleacher Report add-on, featuring over 300 live events annually, including NHL, NBA, and U.S. Soccer.
Expanding its global footprint, Max launched in Latin America and Europe in the first half of the year. Furthermore, Max will be part of a bundling option with the upcoming sports streaming venture combining live sports from Disney (ESPN) and Fox, alongside events already on Max. Another significant industry development is the planned bundling of Max with Disney+ and Hulu in Summer 2024, offering consumers consolidated access to a wide range of entertainment content.
3. Disney+: 153.6 Million
Disney+ entered the streaming market with significant impact and a focus on family-oriented entertainment.
Disney+ launched in November 2019 with ambitious global aspirations and immediately achieved remarkable success, amassing over 10 million subscribers on its first day. This rapid initial growth underscored the strong brand recognition and highly anticipated content library of Disney+.
Disney+ has aggressively pursued bundling strategies, particularly with Hulu and ESPN+, offering bundled packages to encourage subscribers to adopt multiple Disney-owned services. This bundling approach contributes to subscriber overlap across the Disney ecosystem.
In the U.S., Disney+ serves as the primary streaming home for content from Disney’s iconic brands, including Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic. Subscribers to both Disney+ and Hulu in the U.S. can access Hulu content directly within the Disney+ app, further integrating the two services.
Disney+’s international offerings vary by region. In India and Southeast Asia, the Hotstar service integrates live sports and a vast library of content in multiple languages, operating as Disney+ Hotstar.
As of June 29, 2024, Disney+ reported 54.8 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada, and 63.5 million international subscribers, totaling 118.3 million globally. Disney+ Hotstar adds an additional 35.5 million subscribers, bringing the overall Disney+ subscriber count to 153.8 million, demonstrating its extensive global reach.
2. Amazon Prime Video: 200 Million+
Amazon Prime Video is unique in its integration with Amazon Prime and offers a multifaceted streaming experience.
Amazon Prime Video distinguishes itself from other streaming services due to its integration within the broader Amazon Prime ecosystem. While functioning as a standalone streaming service with a vast content library, it is also a core benefit of an Amazon Prime membership. The monthly or annual Amazon Prime fee grants access to a wide array of movies and shows on Prime Video, alongside other Prime benefits.
Amazon Prime Video also offers transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) options, allowing users to rent or purchase movies and shows independent of an Amazon Prime subscription. Furthermore, it serves as a platform for subscribing to other streaming services through Amazon Prime Video Channels, providing a centralized hub for various streaming subscriptions, including Paramount+ and Max. Prime Video also features exclusive live sports content in certain regions, such as NFL Thursday Night Football in the U.S.
This multifaceted nature contributes to Amazon Prime Video’s expansive reach. Available in over 200 countries, Amazon Prime Video is a significant component of the Amazon Prime value proposition. Amazon CEO Andy Jassey noted in the company’s Q3 2023 earnings call that Prime Video is a key driver for new Amazon Prime sign-ups. While Amazon does not disclose precise subscriber figures for Prime Video, Jassey’s 2021 shareholder letter indicated “over 200 million Prime customers,” suggesting a minimum subscriber base of this magnitude for Prime Video. Private estimates often place the numbers even higher, solidifying its position as one of the most popular streaming services globally.
1. Netflix: 282.7 Million
Netflix continues to lead the streaming industry in subscriber numbers and global presence.
Netflix remains the world’s largest streaming service, reporting 282.7 million global paid memberships as of Q3 2024. This represents a 1.8% increase from the previous quarter and an 8.3% year-over-year growth, demonstrating continued expansion in a mature market.
Netflix’s global reach and extensive content library are key factors in its sustained success. Having established a global presence earlier than many competitors, Netflix has a significant first-mover advantage. While not all services in this ranking are available worldwide, Netflix’s global accessibility is a major differentiator. The U.S. and Canada account for 84.8 million subscribers, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa contribute 96.13 million, Latin America and Mexico represent 49.18 million, and the Asia-Pacific region adds 52.6 million, showcasing its truly global distribution.
Beyond reach, Netflix’s vast and diverse content catalog is a major draw. Offering a wide range of movies and shows, including both domestic and international productions, Netflix has effectively blurred geographical boundaries through strategic marketing, language dubbing, and subtitles. The global phenomenon of Squid Game, a Korean-language series, exemplifies Netflix’s ability to bring international content to a global audience.
Netflix’s continuous rotation of new content ensures a constant stream of fresh viewing options, maintaining subscriber engagement. However, a significant shift in reporting is forthcoming. Netflix announced it will cease reporting quarterly paid membership numbers and average revenue per membership from Q1 2025 onwards. This change reflects the increasing complexity of revenue streams, as different subscription plans (including ad-supported tiers) generate varying revenue per user. Despite this change in reporting, Netflix’s position as the leading streaming service remains unchallenged based on current subscriber metrics.
