APAC set for strong SVOD growth

The Asia Pacific region is set for strong growth in subscription video-on-demand take-up over the next five years, with China contributing the bulk of subscribers, and Disney+’s strong growth in the Indian market boosting the success of subscription services across the region, according to a new report.

The Asia Pacific region as a whole will have 698 million SVOD subscriptions by 2026, up from 502 million at end-2021, according to the latest report from Digital TV Research.

China is expected to provide 354 million SVOD subscriptions in 2026 – or half of the region’s total. India will reach 157 million subscriber by the same date, according to Digital TV Research.

Growth in China may slow over this period due to greater regulation of content in that market.

Disney+ overtook Netflix in subscriber terms in 2020 – almost entirely due to its success in India. Disney+ will reach 121 million subscribers by 2026; double its 2021 total.

Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “China will remain dominant, although its growth will slow. This is due to new online anti-fan regulations that limit game time for minors and force SVOD platforms to screen fewer reality shows. This will dampen interest in SVOD.”