Hub In the News

Based on the photos steadily cropping up across the social media landscape, summer is once again giving way to back-to-school season. As parents navigate the $661 per child that Deloitte researchers estimate will be spent this year on back-to-school purchases, students head back to the classroom and try…

As Netflix’s growth stalls and as it follows suit with rival streamers by prepping an ad-supported tier, the prospects for such free ad-supported TV (FAST) solutions may actually be even better than their vendors think with viewers’ tolerance for ads higher than received wisdom suggests.  …

Research continues to emerge showing the proliferation of smart TVs in US homes. The latest evidence, courtesy of Hub Entertainment Research [excerpt download page], finds that almost 3 in 4 (74% of) TV homes have a smart TV, up from 61% in 2020.   More >>

Streamers have an eye for convenience. Many, in fact most, are subscribed to more than one streaming service: a study by Hub Entertainment Research from earlier this year showed that consumers need an average of four streaming subscriptions before they feel their TV needs have been met.  …

U.S. consumers give the ad-free and ad-supported tiers of major video-on-demand streaming services (SVODs) similar rankings when it comes to value, according to the latest annual “Monetization of Video” study by Hub Entertainment Research.   More >>

As consumers ramp up their number of streaming services, discussion crops up about how to aggregate those apps into one place. Most consumers would agree video aggregation enhances the viewing experience, according to new data from Hub Entertainment Research.   More >>

BOSTON—Whether they get their TV from an Apple TV, Firestick TV, Roku, smart TV or simple cable box, viewers want their options simplified and better managed, according to a new report from Hub Entertainment.   More >>

When it comes to streaming, simpler is better, according to “Monetization of Video,” a new study from Hub Research. Among viewers who consolidate access to multiple services through any kind of device (e.g. a cable box, a Roku, Amazon or Apple box, a smart TV etc.), 91%…

Hub Entertainment Research’s annual Monetization of Video study, tracking which TV providers US consumers feel provide the best value, and which attributes make one provider more valuable than another, highlights the value of platforms that can simplify an ever-more complex TV ecosystem. More >>

Would you like to keep your subscribers longer? How about making the sign-up process more difficult, aggregating SVOD services, or pandering to child users of the service? All can help in the quest to boost customer lifetime value.   More >>

Netflix is having a miserable year. The streaming giant shed 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2022 — its first loss in more than a decade — and dropped around 1 million more in quarter two. The company’s woes have sparked concerns that video streaming is dying, but research suggests that…

As the lines between computer and TV blur, alternative uses are becoming popular. Hub Entertainment Research’s fourth annual “Evolution of the TV Set” study asked more than 2,500 Americans about their smart TV usage. It found that over the past two years, the number of smart…

Jon Giegengack knows entertainment as well as anyone. Ten years ago, he founded Hub Entertainment Research delivering expert consulting and insight on the world of TV, movies, gaming, music, sports and events. By night, he is the frontman for an outstanding, New England-based country rock cover…

Hub Entertainment Research reveals the huge pandemic-era shift in consumption patterns. The big question in a post-growth era for Netflix: Is this shift still happening?   More >>

In addition, noted the fourth annual Evolution of the TV Set, streaming, voice control, and non-viewing uses of TV sets are the leading way in which sets – and viewers – are evolving.   More >>

Almost two thirds (62%) of TV homes report streaming using a smart TV, compared with 47% two years ago, according to Hub Entertainment Research’s fourth annual “Evolution of the TV Set” study. More >>

Advanced TV technology that is now commonplace in screens is not only impacting viewer behaviours, habits and expectations but is also affecting the business plans of content providers and advertisers says a study from Hub Entertainment Research. More >>

Hub Entertainment Research’s fourth annual Evolution of the TV Set study shows how the biggest screen in the home is evolving, affecting not just viewer habits and expectations but the business plans of content providers and advertisers. More >>

The biggest screen in the home is evolving, affecting not just viewer habits and expectations but the business plans of content providers and advertisers, according to Hub Entertainment Research’s latest study. More >>

TVs today are working smarter and harder as the majority of homes contain at least one smart TV according to Hub’s latest study. As streaming becomes more commonplace and smart TVs are more widely available, it makes sense for consumers to gravitate towards a set that provides…

Consumers continue to rapidly embrace advanced TV technologies, which in turn is transforming both viewer habits and the business opportunities for content providers and advertisers, according to Hub Entertainment Research’s fourth annual “Evolution of the TV Set” study. More >>

Hub Entertainment Research reveals the huge pandemic-era shift in consumption patterns. The big question in a post-growth era for Netflix: Is this shift still happening? More >>

Roku has a blind spot. A recent study by Hub Research looked at smart TV use in the US and how the TVs are utilized by customers. The good news for Roku is that seeing the number of people who use TVs to stream content is probably just…

Use of internet-connected televisions continues to rise. New data from Hub Entertainment Research found that 62% of homes with a television use a smart-TV. That compares with less than half (47%) of homes with a smart-TV two years ago. This surge is driven by increases in…

As the subscription streaming VOD market embraces advertising, new data from Hub Entertainment Research finds that NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming platform has the highest percentage of ad-supported users.   More >>

CTV viewer growth isn’t about avoiding ads, according to research from Advertiser Perceptions and Hub Research.   More >>

Advertiser Perceptions, Hub Research find 54% of advertisers will increase CTV spending over the next 12 months   More >>

YouTube’s short-video and commerce ambitions rely on creator adoption and participation. Creators are the lifeblood of YouTube, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that they have the power to move audiences to new features or formats, as well as sway purchase decisions.   More >>

As the subscription streaming video market tightens, streaming services are upping brand presence and loyalty. According to iSpotTV, ad impressions for streaming services more than doubled between 2019 and 2020. New research from Hub Entertainment shows that awareness is almost universal, even for relatively new platforms….

Covid-19 and the launch of new streaming platforms have kicked the streaming revolution into high gear. But the growth of leaders like Netflix is leveling off, and new data from Hub Entertainment Research suggests that competition for time from non-video categories bears much of the blame. People consume…

Netflix has been raising its prices about every other year for the past several years, and now it’s to a point where many are thinking about canceling Netflix. But just how many? Well, according to a new survey from Hub Entertainment Research, you’re more likely to cancel Netflix…

The average U.S. household uses 12.5 different sources of entertainment—from TV and streaming to social media, music, gaming, podcasts and more—but only regard half (6.2) as “must-haves,” according to Hub Entertainment Research’s Battle Royale consumer survey. Hub surveyed 3,014 consumers between the ages of 18 and…

The inaugural Battle Royale study from Hub Entertainment Research has shown that as entertainment moves to subscriptions, video providers aren’t the only combatants in the “streaming wars”
 with the average household taking entertainment such as video, music, gaming, podcasts from almost 13 different sources. More >>

The math behind this particular streaming model makes far more sense than you might suspect, and Disney shareholders should be thrilled about it. It’s been the source of great debate in recent weeks. On the one hand, Walt Disney (DIS -1.72%) is a premium brand name that commands premium prices…

Synamedia has acquired U.K.-based content discovery platform provider Utelly, in move that supports the company’s shift to a software-as-a-service-based technology provider. Utelly offers capabilities for the entertainment industry such as metadata aggregation, search and recommendations, along with content management and a content promotion engine. More >>

The news hasn’t been great for Netflix lately, and despite the service’s domestic ubiquity, it is still considered a less essential service than Spotify and YouTube, according to a new study looking at the streaming habits of U.S. consumers. More >>

Only about half of the 12.5 entertainment platforms used by the average U.S. household are considered “must-haves” — and Spotify is the No. 1 must have, according to a new study from Hub Entertainment Research. More >>

The inaugural Battle Royale study from Hub Entertainment Research shows that the average household consumes entertainment – video, music, gaming, podcasts – from almost 13 different sources. But only half of those sources are considered must-haves. More >>

While Wall Street hammers stocks heavily invested in the future of SVOD, new survey data shows the industry is far from done with expansion. Global subscriptions are forecast to grow 30% by 2027, service stacking remains common, and entertainment bundles anchored by SVOD are a popular…

Hub Research released a new study that showed something very interesting about the streaming world. Among the findings of what it referred to as a “Battle Royal” for streaming it found that users who have streaming built-in as a bundled service are more likely to see the service…

The average American home consumes entertainment — streaming video, music, podcasts, etc. — from nearly 13 different sources, and among those, music streaming giant Spotify is listed as being “most essential.” This is according to Hub Entertainment Research’s seminal “Battle Royale” study, which surveyed 3,014 U.S….

The average number of TV and OTT sources per viewer used to receive content in the United States grew from 2018 to 2022. In 2018, each viewer had on average three TV sources, while in 2022 this figure amounted to about 7.4.   More >>

Just six weeks after the closing of a powerhouse media merger, Warner Bros. Discovery held its first upfront presentation on Wednesday in front of a capacity crowd at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Company executives and a long roster of celebrity partners pitched the…

At International Advertising Bureau’s (IAB) NewFronts showcase for digital marketers, Condé Nast, AMC Networks, Roku, YouTube, NBCUniversal and Amazon’s Twitch platform were among those pitching the promise of shoppable ads.   More >>

As the industry still reels from the shockwaves of Netflix’s drop in addition in its last financial quarter, a study from Hub Entertainment Research is warning that the leveling of the SVOD leader’s growth is more an indication of the health of streaming than any decline….

Subscription video on demand (SVoD) serivce subscriptions are expected to continue to rise according to a study released by Digital TV Research, but Hub Entertainment warns competition will grow more fierce as month to month subscriber churn ratchets up the pressure. According to Digital TV Research (DTV) Global…

The last two years have seen a major shake-up within the streaming industry. Netflix dominated the market for years, sitting atop the industry it essentially created, although, the introduction of heavy-hitters such as Disney+, Apple TV+, and HBO Max has drastically altered the streaming landscape. With so much competition streamers are now…

I have wanted to take the opportunity for this week’s piece to pivot away from inflation for a moment and discuss a topic that is coming up often enough it bears sharing some observations. A colleague recently asked an ecommerce executive at a marquis luxury brand,…

9-in-10 people have streaming subscriptions in the US, and half of those have three or more of the top five SVODs. Free ad-supported streaming looks like it will be just as popular.   More >>

Netflix first launched its streaming service in 2007, introducing a totally new way to consume media. When its founders boldly unveiled the digital system to a world still hung up on DVD rentals, companies like Blockbuster couldn’t imagine that this would be the way forward. In fact,…

The average number of sources consumers use to access TV content has hit an all-time high in 2022, Hub Entertainment Research revealed in its “Best Bundle” study.   More >>

While streaming giants such as Netflix and Disney+ are gearing up to offer ad-supported options to their customers, new data suggests that HBO Max members are perfectly happy to pay for an ad-free experience. Learn More >>

The average number of sources consumers use to access TV content has hit an all-time high, according to Hub’s “Best Bundle” study. Counting traditional pay TV service, live TV streaming services, individual streaming subscriptions, free streaming services, transactional services, and antenna, the average consumer now uses…

Each year, the Best Bundle study from Hub Entertainment Research takes an inventory of the full range of TV services consumers use—and identifies the services that are gaining and losing market share over time. Key findings from this year’s study: Learn More >>

Netflix and chill, people, please. Subscription streaming is still a viable business, albeit one that is facing some saturation issues in its biggest market. The percentage of U.S. consumers subscribing to at least one subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service is up 12% since the end of 2020,…

With new and existing content spread across a broad and diverse set of streaming options for U.S. consumers to pick from, just how many does it take before the majority feel satisfied that their TV needs are met? At least four, according to new survey data…

Whether it’s subscriber numbers decreasing, ad-supported options becoming increasingly popular, or being inundated with impenetrable mountains of content, the streaming landscape is certainly changing. However, thanks to Hub’s 2022 Best Bundle study, we have some insight into how consumers are behaving and adapting given everything that is…

While the brouhaha over Netflix’s subscriber losses has caused some analysts to suggest the streaming party is over, consumers don’t seem to have gotten the memo, the newly released Hub’s “Best Bundle” research study suggests.   Learn More >>

Consumers’ TV programming sources keep climbing. Hub Entertainment Research says consumers in 2022 are now averaging 7.4 “sources” of TV content — up from 5.7 in 2021 and 4.8 in 2020. Learn More >>

Televisionation: Friday Fireside, the #1 television industry Webcast, features Rick Howe, The iTV Doctor, in conversation with prominent figures from the advanced-TV/video industry. Learn More >>

A survey from Hub Entertainment Research finds that consumers are increasingly aware of 8K TVs. Their buying intentions are also trending upward. The data is part of the company’s fourth annual Connected Home study, which surveyed 5,204 US consumers in February 2022. Learn More >>

Streaming services that revolutionized how people consume entertainment are now facing a host of challenges when it comes to growing — or even sustaining — their subscriber base. Learn More >>

According to a February 2022 survey among U.S. television viewers, awareness of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) brands is widely variable, with the Roku Channel being the most recognizable by around 90 percent of consumers. Familiarity with the platform was half that, at 45 percent, while…

Non-fungible tokens are all the rage, with businesses of every ilk trying to grab their piece of what is becoming a booming — and at one time unforeseen — revenue stream. But as always, the entertainment sector is a force unto itself, and more media and…

Media usage among US teens ages 13-18 and tweens ages 8-12 has grown faster since the start of the pandemic (from 2019 to 2021) than in the 4 years prior, according to a new report [pdf] from Common Sense Media. Here’s a look at media usage among teens,…

Gamut, Cox Media Group’s award-winning end-to-end automated and intelligent advertising platform for local OTT advertising, has entered a strategic partnership with AdGreetz, the industry’s leading ad-tech, martech personalization provider. The partnership solves the industry challenge to offer compelling personalized local OTT advertisements to consumers, at scale, leveraging and further extending…

Three quarters of US homes (76 percent) now have a smart TV, and smart TVs account for more than half (57 percent) of all TV sets, according to Hub Entertainment Research’s fourth annual Connected Home study.   Learn More >>

Smart TV adoption has grown over the last few years, and will most likely reach saturation one day. But we’re not quite there yet. After all, there’s no real good reason for buying a brand new TV, only for it to require purchasing another accessory or…

Hub Entertainment Research’s fourth annual Connected Home study shows compound growth for smart TVs: more US homes own them, and more owners are using their built-in capabilities to stream shows. Other smart tech – smart speakers or smart home devices – are in a substantial number of American…

Adoption of smart TVs is outpacing all other smart CE product tech, according to a new study released by Hub Entertainment Research.   Learn More >>

Despite other smart tech being present in a substantial number of American homes, the smart money is on smart TVs says a study from Hub Entertainment Research, showing more homes own them and more owners are using their built-in capabilities to stream shows. Learn More >>

Rapid growth in ownership means that the majority of TV sets (57%) are now smart sets according to new data from Hub Entertainment Research Learn More >>

Smart-TV ownership continues to climb, with three-quarters (76%) of TV households saying they own a smart-TV, up from 70% a year ago, according to Hub Entertainment Research’s fourth annual “Connected Home” study. Learn More >>

When young people want to watch TV, they typically turn to streaming services first, so it’s little wonder that the narrow 18-34 age bracket alone is estimated to account for more than 4 in 10 daily subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) viewers. Now, a report [excerpt download] from Hub Entertainment Research finds…

There’s no denying Walt Disney‘s (NYSE: DIS) late-2019 launch of Disney+ is largely responsible for reshaping the streaming industry. For years, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) was the only real player in the industry. Once Disney+ proved there was room for more than one, it emboldened others like AT&T (NYSE: T) and Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA) to move forward…

Free Ad Supported Streaming TV (FAST) is quickly becoming a content model of choice for consumers and marketers. But, just how fast is this FAST growth? Learn More >>

Competition in the digital entertainment space is heating up, and the race to engage younger audiences is getting more intense. Gaming, social media, and other user-generated content are capturing the attention of Millennials and Gen Z at a faster rate than traditional entertainment. So how does…

More than half (54%) of consumers have heard of the metaverse, and 21% say they’ve heard a lot, according to Hub’s “A New Frontier” study.   Learn More >>

With new streaming services popping up all over the place, brand recognition is key in attracting subscribers. A new study by Hub Research shows that a surprising amount of streaming services aren’t as well-known as you’d think. Learn More >>

Hub Entertainment Research recently released its annual Evolution of Video Branding study that tracks “awareness, familiarity, and understanding of top brands in the TV marketplace.” It was found that Disney+ has the strongest genre focus among its contemporary streaming platforms. ESPN+ is next, followed by HBO Max, Discovery+,…

At first blush it seems like a step in the wrong direction. Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS is a premium brand and should be treated as such. A lower-cost, ad-supported version of Disney+ slated for launch later this year arguably taints the brand, ultimately working against the draw of the…

By now, every cord cutter has settled on a set of streaming services they keep in their regular respective rotations. Whether it’s exclusive content or even a single title that can be found on multiple services, there are a few SVODs that have become indispensable across…

As Disney+ prepares to open its platform to ads, Warner Bros. Discovery’s new offering will immediately become one of the bigger players in the growing OTT market.   Learn More >>

For the past four years, Hub Entertainment Research’s Evolution of Video Branding study has been tracking awareness, familiarity, and understanding of top brands in the TV marketplace. Key findings from this year’s study: Learn More >>

With Disney+ expanding its content focus and Warner Bros. Discovery management planning to merge HBO Max and Discovery+ into a single app, insights from a new consumer survey may be particularly timely. Learn More >>

Ever since HBO Max and Paramount+ rolled out ad-supported options in 2021, there has been a ton of pressure to compete at lower price points. Disney+ has finally softened its stance on advertising, joining its sister service Hulu with an ad-supported subscription that will launch in…

VisualOn – a streaming solutions provider – has launched a VIP feature for its co-watching solution, WatchParty. The ShowTime feature enables video service providers to extend a category of VIP content in which users can co-view content with their favourite celebrities through a branded interface, to…

Voice control isn’t the future… it’s now. Using voice commands to control technology has gone from sci-fi to standard procedure in a very short time.  Today, 62% of Americans say they regularly use voice control with at least one device—most commonly with apps on smartphones. Not…

ITVT/TVOT is pleased to present a new episode of “Televisionation,” our video/audio podcast exploring the advanced/interactive-TV industry. This episode features Jon Giegengack, Founder and Principal of Hub Entertainment Research. Among other things, he discusses Hub’s two most recent reports, “2021 Video Redefined” and the “Metaverse NFT…

With more streaming subscription choices than ever, Antenna’s “Year in Streaming Report” shows that viewers increasingly opted for less expensive, ad-supported subscriptions in 2021 than in prior years. Learn More >>

Noting that Netflix’s recent earnings call reminds the industry that subscriber counts are the scoreboard of the streaming wars, a study from Hub Entertainment Research has shown that understanding which subscriptions are the stickiest is a leading indicator of which platforms are positioned to grow. Learn…

Netflix is still consumers’ service for their favorite shows among streaming services, but others are catching up, according to  Hub Entertainment Research’s annual “Conquering Content” survey. Learn More >>

More US consumers are defaulting to streaming for their television and movie viewing. This includes ad-supported platforms. In fact, the latest data[download page] from Hub Entertainment Research reveals that of the 81% of people who use at least one ad-free TV platform, 95% also use at…

Many consumers have either never heard of the metaverse or aren’t confident in describing it, new survey data suggests Those that do like the idea of the metaverse tend to be younger — i.e., demos attractive to media cos looking to reach cord-cutters Over one-fifth of…

Streaming solutions provider VisualOn has confirmed the availability of its new VisualOn WatchParty ShowTime feature. This latest advanced feature of its co-watching solution offers a new content category to increase viewer engagement and loyalty. It says the ShowTime feature takes the co-watching experience to the next…

Streaming solutions and video player optimisation provider VisualOn has enhanced its WatchParty ShowTime solution so that video service providers can offer a new category of content with customised streaming and viewing experience. Learn More >>

Premium TV lost some of its share of leisure time to gaming in the last year. What’s more, the young spend as much time gaming as watching TV shows and movies. Little wonder Netflix jumped into gaming, and others will follow suit. Learn More >>

say they spend with screen-based entertainment, down 5 points from a year ago and down 11 points from 2019, according to Hub’s annual “Video Redefined” study. Learn More >>

The annual Video Redefined study from Hub Entertainment Research, which examines how American consumers divvy up their entertainment time, highlights the impact that new sources of video-based entertainment are having on traditional TV and movie viewing. Learn More >>

Today, people spend more time in front of a screen than ever before. Whether it’s for, scrolling social media, gaming, or more, screens are an integral part of consumers’ everyday entertainment choices. Learn More >>

Young media consumers continue to spend more time with online video, gaming and social media, and less time with traditional screen-based TV series and movies, according to a new study from Hub Entertainment Research. Learn More >>

Time watching TV and movies is hitting historic lows as younger audiences now spend twice as much time on gaming, online videos, and social media as on TV according Hub Entertainment Research Learn More >>

The latest version of Hub Entertainment Research’s Video Redefined study has found huge age differences in viewing habits with young Americans spending twice as much time on gaming, online videos, and social media as on TV. Learn More >>

Hub study shows whopping 11% decline in the share of leisure time Americans spend watching TV over the past two years … and a corresponding massive increase in time spent gaming Learn More >>

Screen-based activity for older and younger viewers is increasingly diverging, according to the Hub Entertainment Research’s latest “Video Redefined” survey. For 13-24 year olds, just 25% of their screen-based leisure time was spent watching TV and movies, as compared with 60% for 35 years old and…

Social media activities, including online video and separately, video games, continue to eat away at the time consumers spend watching television. New data from Hub Research found that TV and movies account for 48% of all the time consumers say they spend with screen-based entertainment. That’s…

TV and movies account for just 48% of all the time consumers say they spend with screen-based entertainment. Replacing this is time spent watching online videos, gaming, and browsing social media, according to Hub. Learn More >>