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ACMA: More adults watch SVOD than Free to Air

Report also finds iview and SBS on Demand lead FTA catch up services.

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This week an Australian Communications and Media Authority report found more adults watched online subscription video services in a given week than Free to Air Television.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the take-up of on-demand video platforms, particularly among those aged 45 and over, who have traditionally been slower to transition to new technology.

In June 2021, over half of Australian adults (54%) tuned in to FTA broadcast TV (live or recorded) in the previous week, with older people in particular remaining loyal FTA viewers (67% of those aged 45 and over).

At June 2021, a quarter (24%) of Australian adults used a pay TV service such as Foxtel or Fetch TV in the previous 6 months, down from 27% in 2019. As with FTA TV, the key driver of this drop has been the proliferation of SVOD services in Australia, which offer subscribers relatively easy access via their existing internet connection, without the need for additional hardware, and at a significantly lower price point.

Which of the following have you personally watched in the past 7 days at home or elsewhere?

More Australian adults watched a catch-up TV streaming service for free-to-air programs in the previous week to June 2021 (37% up from 28% in 2019) than ever before.

ABC iview was the most popular catch-up service, watched by almost 1 in 4 (23%) Australian adults, followed by by SBS On Demand, watched by 1 in 6 (16%).

Which channels have you watched using catch-up TV in the past 7 days? 

Broadcasters have also ventured into the SVOD market with some success. Nine Network’s Stan, first released in January 2015, earned over $310 million in 2021, representing over 14% of total company revenue.11 In 2021, Stan was the second largest SVOD provider in Australia, accounting for 14% of the total Australian SVOD market. Network Ten has also made inroads into the SVOD market through Paramount+, although it does not publicly disclose earnings associated with this service.

Estimated Australian SVOD market share, by revenue, 2021

Other’ includes a range of smaller, niche SVOD services available in Australia, including HayU, Britbox, Kanopy, YouTube Premium, Acorn TV and many others. ‘Amazon Prime Video’ revenue is underrepresented due to its subscription also providing other non-SVOD services.

You can read more here.

12 Responses

  1. Compared to having a PVR, catch up services are varying types of pain in the neck. Some are okay, but most take away your control – they take ages to find and load, you can’t skip ads, sometimes they chop off the end.

    One thing I do like, though, is that they lay out the episode numbers, names and descriptions in viewing order – something FTA hasn’t managed yet.

    I can’t see a day when I will not be using the PVR more than streaming.

  3. Interesting that ABC iView has the most audience, so catch up watchers of news shows and popular ABC fare belies the criticism that the ABC is losing touch with its commercial rivals, the SBS on Demand is showing up the commercial channels with product quantity and diverse choices, but I’m biased. Netflix is introducing commercials for the first time soon for those not liking their recent price increases, so advertising agencies will be gleeful, as I’m sure the opportunities for their business utilizing the SVOD platforms were just a wasted commercial opportunity for them, Netflix and other popular streamers will need to moderate the types of advertising and frequency they are shown if they don’t want to alienate some of their paying audience further.

    1. … it’s not really surprising “that ABC iView has the most audience” … first they have a lot of good material that often goes unnoticed even to regular ABC FTA viewers and second, because we’re already paying for it, it isn’t an added hit to the hip pocket nerve to take advantage of it … I’m apparently in the minority because I’ve never felt the need to pay extra for my TV viewing, but I will dip into iView when I’ve missed the first episode of a new series and want to watch from the start … I think its introduction is one of the best things that ABC has done in a long time and this report validates that …

      1. I will not pay also…more’n enough for me on FTA….and I like to binge series on iview rather than watch weekly….Will watch Phryne in one go…instead of split.

    2. The ABC has high numbers because of the ABC kids app. Parents are quite happy to let their kids watch anything on ABC2 and 3, while they block their kids from watching commercial FTA unsupervised. iView also has no ads during the programmes, only advertises ABC commercial merchandise and had no login requirement during the period of the survey. Ten has the least because they are focused on moving whatever they can to Paramount+ (which is still grouped in other) unless you want to catchup Masterchef, The Project or NCIS there is nothing on Ten Play. They have lots of listing for old shows, with zero episodes available, because you have to subscribe to Paramount+ to get them.

  4. SVOD – have no idea what that stands for. We watch Plex for movies if none on FTA are any good. Got sick and tired of the same ones airing over and over, and over again. It’s insulting to do them so many times as far as I am concerned. We prefer FTA TV news to any other. I would like to get Britbox as they have the English shows. 11; 12; 76; 92 we also watch. Channel 2 have interesting documentaries and SBS sometimes. Some shows we watch on FTA are staple shows. If the TV people are worried about losing the over 50’s they need to show some decent programs instead of this silly ‘love rot’.

    3. It was the experience of getting streaming services that made me realise how little is available there, that suits my tastes. I am constantly frustrated by not being able to find a show or movie on my “to watch” list. I do use the Justwatch service, which is very helpful in telling me that I can’t watch the show I am looking for!

      FTA is my first stop for choice, and then use streaming if nothing appeals. Britbox is well worth the subscription, though, the one I use most.

  5. Kanopy is alright I use that and sure it is niche, however you sign up for with your Local Library Card number and get to watch 10 movies a month for free (ad-free), the Titles are very good and varied and it is a good gap filler.

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