Sports Streaming Increases by 52% in Q1, Prime Video Leads

Streaming platforms are diving headfirst into the world of sports, and the numbers are in! According to Nielsen’s Gracenote, global sports programming saw a whopping 52% increase in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year.

Leading the charge is Amazon, holding a 38.5% share of worldwide sports programming content. Following closely behind are Netflix at 25.9%, Disney+ at 23.7%, Paramount+ at 10.3%, and Apple TV at 1.6%.

One standout in the mix is Paramount+, which has been rapidly expanding its sports content by a staggering 219%, thanks in part to a billion-dollar deal to broadcast UFC events. Meanwhile, Disney+ saw a slight decline of 23%.

But it’s not just sports taking the spotlight. Free advertising-supported streaming television (FAST) channels have shown a 30% increase in sports shows compared to the previous year. Gracenote’s survey of 2,060 channels worldwide reveals that news content is up by 58%, movies by 26%, and scripted/unscripted TV shows by 24%.

When it comes to the breadth of content available, there are a whopping 19,400 sports TV series and episodes across major streamers like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+ in 28 countries. To put that in perspective, there are 71,800 movies and a staggering 574,200 TV shows available for streaming.

So, whether you’re a sports fanatic or looking for the next binge-worthy show, streaming platforms are bringing an abundance of entertainment right to your fingertips. It’s clear that the world of streaming is evolving, with sports taking center stage alongside a diverse array of programming genres for viewers to enjoy.