Global streaming subscription revenue topped $150 billion (€138 billion) for the first time in 2025, according to new figures from Ampere Analysis, as platforms increasingly relied on price rises and ad-supported tiers to drive growth.
Ampere said total subscription revenue increased 14% in 2025 to $157.1 billion (€144.5 billion), having more than tripled in five years from $50 billion (€46 billion) in 2020. The analyst firm said international expansion, the rollout of cheaper advertising-supported plans and regular price increases by the major services were the main factors behind the rise.
The market is forecast to grow by a further 29% over the next five years, taking global streaming subscription revenue beyond $200 billion (€184 billion) by 2030.
The United States remained the industry’s largest single market in 2025, accounting for half of global streaming subscription revenue. Netflix was the biggest contributor in the United States, with revenues increasing 14% following price increases introduced at the start of the year.
Ampere said that in more mature and competitive markets, including North America and Western Europe, the next stage of growth is being driven increasingly by ad-tier subscriptions rather than traditional ad-free plans. The share of total revenue generated by ad-supported tiers rose from less than 5% in 2020 to 28% in 2025, underlining the shift towards hybrid subscription and advertising models.
When advertising revenue is included, streaming services generated $177 billion (€163 billion) globally in 2025. Ampere expects advertising to become a much more significant contributor over the rest of the decade, adding a further $42 billion (€38.6 billion) in annual revenue by 2030.
Lauren Liversedge, senior analyst at Ampere Analysis, said the market’s focus had moved away from simple subscriber growth towards increasing value from existing customers, with pricing and advertising now central to the revenue story.
