Streaming Platforms See Major Surge in Sports Programming Offerings with 52% Increase
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital entertainment, a remarkable trend has emerged as sports programming on major streaming platforms has surged by 52% year-over-year, based on the latest findings from Gracenote, a unit of Nielsen dedicated to content data. This significant rise is evident across the top five subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services, emphasizing how crucial live sports and associated content have become for engaging viewers.
Among the streaming services, Paramount+ has established itself as the foremost destination for sports content, overtaking competitors such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. This shift is largely attributed to Paramount+ securing the broadcasting rights for UFC events, which it obtained from ESPN starting January 2026. With this acquisition, Paramount+ has expanded its sports offerings to more than double that of any other SVOD platform, boasting an incredible 219% increase from the previous year.
On the other hand, Disney+ has experienced a setback, with its sports catalog contracting by 23%. This decline illustrates how competitive the streaming environment has become, as viewer preferences shift towards platforms offering more diverse sporting options.
The growth of sports programming isn't confined to subscription-based services. Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels have also witnessed remarkable expansion. An analysis of over 2,060 FAST channels globally showed that the amount of sports content available has increased by 30% year-over-year. Furthermore, the demand for news programming has skyrocketed, with ad-supported streaming services increasing news content by an impressive 58%. Additionally, the availability of movies and TV shows on these platforms saw growth rates of 26% and 24%, respectively, indicating a robust diversification of content.
Gracenote's insights are derived from its Data Hub, launched in November 2024, which offers in-depth statistics and visualizations on content availability across leading SVOD services and FAST channels. This resource taps into the extensive Gracenote Global Video Data, which comprises the industry's largest database of TV and movie information. By analyzing this data quarterly, the Gracenote Data Hub tracks shifts in catalog offerings and illuminates trends in consumer viewing habits.
As a pivotal aspect of Nielsen, Gracenote enriches the entertainment landscape by providing vital metadata, content IDs, and insights for creators and distributors. Their repository encompasses over 50 million titles across more than 260 streaming catalogs, supporting content navigation and discovery in over 70 languages and 80 countries. With its technology, Gracenote enables consumers to seamlessly connect with their favorite shows, movies, music, and sports, while also delivering analytics that simplify decision-making for businesses.
In summary, the surge in sports programming on streaming platforms reflects a broader trend toward increasing demand for live, engaging content. As viewing habits continue to evolve, the competitive landscape among streaming services will intensify, pushing them to innovate and adapt to meet audience needs.
Paramount+ Takes the Lead
Among the streaming services, Paramount+ has established itself as the foremost destination for sports content, overtaking competitors such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. This shift is largely attributed to Paramount+ securing the broadcasting rights for UFC events, which it obtained from ESPN starting January 2026. With this acquisition, Paramount+ has expanded its sports offerings to more than double that of any other SVOD platform, boasting an incredible 219% increase from the previous year.
On the other hand, Disney+ has experienced a setback, with its sports catalog contracting by 23%. This decline illustrates how competitive the streaming environment has become, as viewer preferences shift towards platforms offering more diverse sporting options.
The Expansion of FAST Channels
The growth of sports programming isn't confined to subscription-based services. Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels have also witnessed remarkable expansion. An analysis of over 2,060 FAST channels globally showed that the amount of sports content available has increased by 30% year-over-year. Furthermore, the demand for news programming has skyrocketed, with ad-supported streaming services increasing news content by an impressive 58%. Additionally, the availability of movies and TV shows on these platforms saw growth rates of 26% and 24%, respectively, indicating a robust diversification of content.
The Role of the Gracenote Data Hub
Gracenote's insights are derived from its Data Hub, launched in November 2024, which offers in-depth statistics and visualizations on content availability across leading SVOD services and FAST channels. This resource taps into the extensive Gracenote Global Video Data, which comprises the industry's largest database of TV and movie information. By analyzing this data quarterly, the Gracenote Data Hub tracks shifts in catalog offerings and illuminates trends in consumer viewing habits.
About Gracenote
As a pivotal aspect of Nielsen, Gracenote enriches the entertainment landscape by providing vital metadata, content IDs, and insights for creators and distributors. Their repository encompasses over 50 million titles across more than 260 streaming catalogs, supporting content navigation and discovery in over 70 languages and 80 countries. With its technology, Gracenote enables consumers to seamlessly connect with their favorite shows, movies, music, and sports, while also delivering analytics that simplify decision-making for businesses.
In summary, the surge in sports programming on streaming platforms reflects a broader trend toward increasing demand for live, engaging content. As viewing habits continue to evolve, the competitive landscape among streaming services will intensify, pushing them to innovate and adapt to meet audience needs.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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