Today we got new data from comScore showing over half of Wi-Fi households in the U.S. are now using at least one over-the-top streaming service. (As expected Netflix was the most popular choice.) Well Netflix is still number 1 others have seen strong growth. YouTube, saw a 53 percent in traffic, trailed by Amazon at 33 percent, and Hulu at 17 percent.
This data was collected in December 2016, from over 49 million Wi-Fi connected homes in the U.S. streaming video content over the internet through one of these over-the-top services.
The study found that Netflix subscribers are heavily engaged, watching over-the-top content an average of 19 days per month, for 2.2 hours per day. The most popular time for viewing takes place during traditional Primetime hours. Just one more sign that consumers have cut the cord with traditional cable TV, yet still watch TV like they had before.
However, while Netflix leads the pack in terms of subscribers, it’s only number two in terms of viewing. Netflix subscribers watched on average 28 hours per month of Netflix. Sling TV subscribers watched on average 47 viewing hours per month.
There is no easy way to explain this and ComScore didn’t speculate as to why this is. This data was collected in March so NFL may have had a part in that but it was before the playoffs and March Madness. So sports may have been apart of it but not likely the main cause.
Amazon Video is also finding new growth thanks to the Fire TV streaming player. On the Fire TV Amazon Video become the top streaming service. Netflix is number one on all other devices, from Roku to game consoles and more. That is likely why you see Fire TV devices on sale as the more Amazon sells, the more it can increase its over-the-top market share.
It will be interesting to see what happens in a few months. With DIRECTV NOW, Hulu, and YouTube all pushing new services.
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