Record YouTube with 2.7 billion users, but Netflix remains the subscription queen

Netflix continues to grow, at least in terms of subscriber numbers. This confirmation comes from estimates by Omdia, which analyzed the current state of the video streaming market with a series of forecasts for the near future and, in particular, developments until 2031.

Is the goal 400 million subscribers?
Netflix will continue to grow. Currently, the service has just over 300 million subscribers. By 2031, however, Omdia's target is set at 396.2 million subscribers, with the possibility of approaching and exceeding the 400 million mark. An important contribution to this growth will come from the ad-supported plan, which is an essential element for ensuring Netflix's future growth.

Other services will also grow, but the distances will remain evident. Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, two of the main streaming services active in Italy, are expected to reach approximately 220 million and 216 million subscribers, respectively, showing significant growth compared to the current state but with numbers well below those of Netflix.

YouTube will continue to be the main reference for streaming, thanks to the ability for users to access it for free (albeit with a lot of advertising). Google's platform is expected to reach about 2.7 billion active users on a monthly basis by 2026. As for the Premium version, estimates indicate nearing 100 million subscribers by 2031.