Streaming spending up 24% in US since pandemic start

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US consumer spend on streaming services rose to US$47 at the end of December, up by 24% from the beginning of the pandemic.

According to a new study from market research firm J.D. Power, the average US household was spending almost US$50 per month on streaming services by the end of the year. In April, the same consumers were spending an average of US$38 per month. 

That period of time has seen a number of high-profile streaming launches in the US including WarnerMedia’s HBO Max in May and NBCUniversal’s Peacock in July – the latter of which amassed 26 million subscribers within its first six months thanks to a compelling hybrid strategy. 

Almost half the surveyed households (49%) said they subscribe to four or more streaming services, up from 39% in April. Some 13% said they use seven or more services, up from 8% in April.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular streamer amongst the respondents was Netflix, with 81% saying they use the Los Santos-based service. Mainstay Amazon Prime Video was second at 65% while Hulu was used by 56%. Of the newcomers, Disney+ is the clear leader, with 47% of the respondents using the streamer, while HBO Max and Peacock were at 22% and 18% respectively. 

The oft-forgotten Apple TV+ was subscribed to by 14% of respondents – though concerns over a lack of content has led Apple to extend the free trial period to July.