SVOD subscriptions in Latin America to double by 2025

The number of paid subscriptions to OTT services in the Latin American market is set to almost double by the mid-point of the decade.

According to Digital TV Research, the region will see subscriber numbers skyrocket from 42 million at the end of 2019, to 81 million by 2025. More impressive is the fact that this growth is set to come amid a recession in the region.

The so-called big-five US SVODs – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+ and HBO – are predicted to make up 88% of that total, increasing that proportion from 85%.

Netflix is set to be the biggest player by far, further increasing its presence in the region.

The streaming juggernaut ended 2019 with 31.4 million subscribers, and that is expected to increase to 42.5 million by 2025 (this figure is more than the current total of subscribers in the region combined).

While this is a significant increase for Netflix, its dominance will decline. Netflix will command 52% of SVOD subscriptions by 2025; down from 75% in 2019 despite adding 11 million subscribers over this period.

Amazon – the second largest at present – will see subscribers reach 10 million from 3.7 million. Newcomer Disney+ are set for a positive half-decade, with the former overtaking Amazon with 15 million subscribers. Apple TV+ is set for modest growth to reach 2.5 million subscribers, while HBO will hit 1.7 million from a current number of 714,000.

Claro Video will continue to be the largest local player, growing from 2.7 million to 3.7 million subscribers, though local players will struggle to amass new subscribers. The research adds that both Blim and Movistar Play will add few subscribers – the former growing from 297,000 to 450,000; the latter increasing to 609,000 from 392,000.

Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “These US-based players will grow but the local platforms will stall. Claro Video is often available free to its top spending mobile subscribers. Telefonica/Movistar may sell its remaining non-Brazilian assets.”

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