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Gracenote’s Insights on Growing Sports Content

In a recent report released on February 26, 2025, by Gracenote, we see emphatic evidence of a significant expansion in sports content across the leading global subscription video on-demand (SVOD) services. The report, which tracks data from the likes of Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+, revealed that these services collectively increased their sports offerings by more than 72% in just one quarter. This data underlines the critical role that sports play in driving live viewership and engagement among streaming service users.

Since Gracenote first launched its Data Hub in November 2024, the availability of sports programming—including major events like exclusive NFL games and the U.S. Open tennis tournament—has surged. Notable service providers, particularly Disney+ and Netflix, have reported staggering increases in their sports content—471% and nearly 100% respectively. While Apple TV+ didn't report a rise in the latest quarter, expectations are high as the new seasons for Major League Soccer (MLS) and Major League Baseball (MLB) approach, promising live sports action soon to be available to viewers.

The updates to the Gracenote Data Hub utilize the Global Video Data, which serves as the industry's most extensive database of entertainment content. It highlights trends in video consumption via various data visualizations that depict how the SVOD catalogs are evolving to meet audience preferences. The current data illustrates an overall increase in content, with these services adding an additional 6.7% of new content to their catalogs. Specifically, TV shows and movies have seen increases of 5.4% and 7.6%, respectively, showcasing a robust investment in new content across the board.

Key Insights from Gracenote's Latest Update

1. Sports Programming Growth: The latest data shows the combined availability of approximately 3,000 movies, 2,000 TV shows, and over 500 sports shows across these platforms. Such extensive offerings reflect the growing demand for diverse content.
2. Dominance of Disney+: Disney+ is not only a major player in the market but also accounts for nearly 33% of all available sports content, positioning it just behind Amazon Prime Video, which represents 35%. Netflix follows closely with just over 23%. A notable factor in Disney+'s rise is its recent addition of select ESPN programming, which has significantly boosted its appeal.
3. Ongoing Market Dynamics: Amazon Prime Video continues to lead in video content distribution, holding nearly 69% of the market share, an increase from 67.8% in the previous quarter. While drama remains the top genre across these services, it has been surpassed by other content types like documentary and children's shows on Disney+, indicating shifting viewer interests.

Bill Michels, Chief Product Officer at Gracenote, stated, “Live sports programming continues to be an important driver of user growth, retention, and engagement for streaming services. The ability to offer pertinent metadata—such as synopses, scores, and highlights—plays a pivotal role in enhancing user experiences and retaining viewers beyond the live event.”

The Gracenote platform covers a vast library, boasting information on over 40 million titles across more than 260 streaming catalogs in over 35 languages. Such comprehensive metadata not only facilitates better user experiences for the largest television providers but also empowers media companies to make strategic, data-informed decisions that drive their success in a rapidly changing landscape.

The Gracenote Data Hub is updated quarterly, with upcoming revisions expected to include data from additional segments of the television ecosystem, further enriching our understanding of content trends.

With sports remaining a centerpiece of engagement and growth for streaming platforms, it appears that these services are set to continue expanding their offerings, promising an exciting future for sports fans everywhere.