Sports Streaming Platforms See 52% Increase in Programming Options

New data from Gracenote, the content data business unit of Nielsen, reveals some interesting trends in the world of streaming entertainment. According to their latest update, sports program offerings on the top five subscription video-on-demand services have increased by an impressive 52% year-over-year. This significant jump highlights the growing importance of sports content in engaging audiences.

One of the standout performers in the streaming sports arena is Paramount+, which has surpassed both Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to become the top destination for sports programming. Following its recent acquisition of UFC broadcast rights from ESPN, Paramount+ now offers more than double the sports content of any other SVOD platform, with a whopping 219% increase year-over-year. In contrast, Disney+ has seen a 23% decrease in its sports catalog over the same period.

Not only are subscription platforms seeing a surge in sports content, but free ad-supported streaming services (FAST channels) are also experiencing growth. Gracenote’s analysis of over 2,000 FAST channels worldwide shows a 30% increase in sports content and a 58% increase in news programming. Additionally, movies and TV shows on FAST channels have increased by 26% and 24% respectively year-over-year.

The Gracenote Data Hub, launched in 2024, offers valuable insights into the content available on leading SVOD services and FAST channels. Using Gracenote’s Global Video Data, this resource provides a comprehensive view of TV and movie information to help users discover new content and make informed viewing choices. Updates to the Data Hub reveal how streaming catalogs are evolving over time and what these changes indicate for the industry.

Gracenote, as a key player in the entertainment metadata space, is dedicated to providing creators, distributors, and platforms with the tools they need to enhance content navigation and discovery. With metadata covering millions of titles across hundreds of streaming catalogs in multiple languages and countries, Gracenote’s technology facilitates seamless content exploration and powerful content analytics. To learn more about Gracenote and their offerings, visit their website or connect with them on LinkedIn.