An over-the-top media service is a streaming media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. List of streaming media services. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms, the companies that traditionally act as a controller or distributors of such content. Most of these services are owned by a major film studio. Some streaming services started as an add-on to Blu-ray offerings, which are supplements to the programs watched.
Streaming is an alternative to file downloading, a process in which the end-user obtains the entire file(s) for the content before watching or listening to it.
A client end-user can use the media player, computer, mobile phone, and smart TV to start playing digital video content before the entire file has been transmitted. Users will need an Internet connection to stream or download video content. Users lacking compatible hardware or software systems may be unable to stream or download certain content.
Streaming Services by Subscribers in the World
| 1. | Netflix | Subscribers | 230,930,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 2. | Amazon Prime | Subscribers (Estimate) | 200,000,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 3. | Disney+ | Subscribers | 161,800,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 4. | Tencent Video | Subscribers | 124,000,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 5. | iQIYI | Subscribers | 106,000,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 6. | HBO Max | Subscribers (Estimate) | 81,000,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 7. | Hulu | Subscribers | 48,000,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 8. | Paramount+ | Subscribers | 46,000,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 9. | Apple | Subscribers (Estimate) | 40,000,000 | 12/2020 | |
| 10. | Eros Now | Subscribers | 39,900,000 | 03/2021 | |
| 11. | ALTBalaji | Subscribers | 34,000,000 | 03/2020 | |
| 12. | Globoplay | Subscribers | 30,000,000 | 12/2020 | |
| 13. | Starz | Subscribers | 27,300,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 14. | iFlix | Subscribers | 25,000,000 | 03/2020 | |
| 15. | ESPN | Subscribers | 24,900,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 16. | Canal Plus | Subscribers | 23,700,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 17. | StarTimes | Subscribers | 20,000,000 | 06/2020 | |
| 18. | Peacock | Subscribers | 20,000,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 19. | CuriosityStream | Subscribers | 20,000,000 | 06/2021 | |
| 20. | SonyLiv | Subscribers | 17,900,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 21. | Discovery Plus | Subscribers (Estimate) | 15,000,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 22. | AMC | Subscribers | 11,100,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 23. | MUBI | Subscribers | 9,000,000 | 10/2019 | |
| 24. | Viu | Subscribers | 8,400,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 25. | DAZN | Subscribers (Estimate) | 8,000,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 26. | Via Play | Subscribers | 6,429,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 27. | WatchIT | Subscribers | 5,200,000 | 12/2020 | |
| 28. | Crunchyroll | Subscribers | 5,000,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 29. | BluTV | Subscribers (Estimate) | 4,200,000 | 03/2022 | |
| 30. | RTL Plus | Subscribers | 3,675,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 31. | Shahid | Subscribers (Estimate) | 3,000,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 32. | KinoPoisk | Subscribers (Estimate) | 3,000,000 | 12/2019 | |
| 33. | Crave | Subscribers | 2,900,000 | 12/2020 | |
| 34. | Claro TV | Subscribers (Estimate) | 2,700,000 | 12/2019 | |
| 35. | Wavve | Subscribers (Estimate) | 2,700,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 36. | Zee5 | Subscribers | 2,700,000 | 01/2020 | |
| 37. | Hulu Nippon TV | Subscribers (Estimate) | 2,600,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 38. | Docomo | Subscribers (Estimate) | 2,500,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 39. | tving | Subscribers (Estimate) | 2,500,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 40. | U-Next | Subscribers (Estimate) | 2,400,000 | 09/2021 | |
| 41. | TIMvision | Subscribers | 2,390,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 42. | Sling TV | Subscribers | 2,200,000 | 06/2022 | |
| 43. | ivi TV | Subscribers | 2,200,000 | 12/2019 | |
| 44. | Stan | Subscribers | 2,100,000 | 12/2020 | |
| 45. | Sky Deutschland | Subscribers (Estimate) | 2,000,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 46. | StarzPlay | Subscribers (Estimate) | 2,000,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 47. | BritBox | Subscribers | 2,000,000 | 02/2021 | |
| 48. | TV+ | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,882,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 49. | NOW TV | Subscribers | 1,620,000 | 03/2020 | |
| 50. | OCS | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,505,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 51. | Joyn | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,500,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 52. | Player.PL | Subscribers | 1,500,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 53. | Polsat | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,401,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 54. | Exxen | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,390,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 55. | Mediaset | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,379,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 56. | FuboTV | Subscribers | 1,231,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 57. | ITV | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,200,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 58. | Videoland | Subscribers | 1,109,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 59. | Coupang | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,100,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 60. | OSN | Subscribers (Estimate) | 1,000,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 61. | Voot | Subscribers | 1,000,000 | 03/2021 | |
| 62. | Shudder | Subscribers | 1,000,000 | 08/2021 | |
| 63. | TV 2 | Subscribers (Estimate) | 902,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 64. | Binge | Subscribers | 885,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 65. | Salto | Subscribers | 800,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 66. | Megogo | Subscribers (Estimate) | 800,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 67. | C More | Subscribers | 795,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 68. | TV2 Norge | Subscribers | 780,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 69. | Voyo | Subscribers | 750,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 70. | Showmax | Subscribers (Estimate) | 500,000 | 12/2019 | |
| 71. | CDA.pl | Subscribers (Estimate) | 460,000 | 09/2022 | |
| 72. | movistar+ | Subscribers | 453,000 | 12/2020 | |
| 73. | Atresmedia | Subscribers | 452,000 | 12/2020 | |
| 74. | Streamz | Subscribers | 413,400 | 12/2020 | |
| 75. | DStv | Subscribers | 400,000 | 12/2018 | |
| 76. | Bein | Subscribers (Estimate) | 329,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 77. | Blim TV | Subscribers (Estimate) | 297,000 | 12/2019 | |
| 78. | Foxtel | Subscribers | 239,000 | 12/2021 | |
| 79. | GO3 | Subscribers | 200,000 | 12/2020 | |
| 80. | iROKO | Subscribers | 152,588 | 12/2020 | |
| 81. | Sweet TV | Subscribers (Estimate) | 150,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 82. | Volia TV | Subscribers (Estimate) | 120,000 | 12/2022 | |
| 83. | Kyivstar | Subscribers (Estimate) | 120,000 | 12/2022 |
This comprehensive guide will introduce you to the top streaming platforms in seven major media markets: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, China, and Europe.
Whether you’re looking for general on-demand content, live TV streaming services, broadcaster-specific content, or niche content, we’ve got you covered!
YouTube TV Channel List in 2022
Top American Streaming Services
It should come as no surprise that the United States has the world’s most highly developed video streaming market. Aside from being home to the Big Five streaming giants, numerous traditional broadcasters (like NBCUniversal and CBS) have made their broadcast content available on live TV streaming services.
US viewers are spoiled for choice and there are countless streaming services that cater to specific interests and price points.
Top American General Live TV Streaming Services
- DirecTV Stream
- YouTube TV
- Fubo
- Philo
- Hulu + Live TV
- Sling TV
- LG Channel Plus
- TV Everywhere
- NBC News Now
- Spectrum TV
- Pluto.tv
- Xumo
- KlowdTV
- Frndly TV
- Vidgo
Top American Broadcaster-Specific Streaming Services
- HBO Max
- AMC+
- Lifetime Movie Club
- Paramount+
- History Vault
- The CW (now merged with CW Seed)
- Peacock
- Disney+
- Disney+ Star
- Showtime
- Hallmark Movies Now
- Starz
- MGM+
- MAX GO
Top American On-Demand Streaming Services (Varied Content)
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Crackle
- Popcornflix
- Vudu
- Discovery+
- Fearless.li
- Vimeo
- PantaFlix
- Volta
- Roku
- RedBox
- Tubi TV
- IMDb TV
- Apple iTunes
- Google Play
- Shout Factory TV
- FlixFling
Top American Live TV & On-Demand Streaming Services (Mixed Options)
Top American On-Demand Streaming Services (Niche Options)
- Crunchyroll
- Funimation Now
- VRV
- Dove Channel
- BritBox
- Acorn TV
- Turner Classic Movies
- Hi-Yah
- KocawaTV
- BroadwayHD
- DC Universe Infinite
- Curiosity Stream
- GuideDoc
- HIDIVE
- UP Faith and Family
- Blaze TV
- Magnolia Selects
- Hopster TV
- Pure Flix
- Fandor
- Gaia
- Qello
- Screambox
- Sundance Now
- Hayu
- Hoopla
- allblk
- Revry
- Realeyz
- Mubi
- Short of the Week
- Kanopy
- Rakuten Viki
- Shudder
Top American Live Sports Streaming Services
- ESPN+
- NBA League Pass
- NFL Game Pass
- Willow TV
- F1 TV
- Ginx
- NHL.TV
- DAZN
- WWE Network
- Bleacher Report
- MLB.TV
- PokerGo
- Twitch
- MOTORTREND+
- UFC Fight Pass
Top British Streaming Services
The United Kingdom is home to some of the best live TV programming in the English-speaking world. Whether it’s Shakespearean dramas and historical documentaries from the BBC, or reality TV shows from ITV, British viewers will never run out of great content.
Top British General Live TV Streaming Services
Top British Broadcaster-Specific Streaming Services
Top British On-Demand Streaming Services (Varied Content)
Top British On-Demand Streaming Services (Niche Options)
Top British Live TV & On-Demand Streaming Services (Mixed Options)
Top British Live Sports Streaming Services
Top Canadian Streaming Services
While video streaming services have a high penetration rate in Canada, the number of offerings is surprisingly small (which is all the more surprising considering the sheer number of homegrown streaming services in the US).
Nevertheless, there are some solid Canada-only streaming services in this list and one (Ici TOU TV) streams only French-language content. There’s a strong demand for live sports programming, with notables like CBC Sports regularly broadcasting NHL hockey and NHL football games.
Top Canadian On-Demand Streaming Services (Varied Content)
Top Canadian On-Demand Streaming Services (Niche Options)
Top Canadian Broadcaster-Specific Streaming Services
Top Canadian Live Sports Streaming Services
Top Australian Streaming Services
While the Land Down Under has seen a rapid increase in the consumer adoption of streaming services, the overall market is still relatively small.
All of the major American streaming companies (with the exception of Hulu) are available in Australia. Subscribers also have access to some local streaming platforms that offer a mixture of local Aussie and international programming.
Top Australian General Live TV Streaming Services
Top Australia Broadcaster-Specific Streaming Services
Top Australian On-Demand Streaming Services (Varied Content)
Top Australian On-Demand Streaming Services (Niche Options)
Top Australian Live Sports Streaming Services
Top Indian Streaming Services
Home to Bollywood, filmi music soundtracks, and Indian cricket, India has become a major cultural force in the modern world. There is a huge demand for Indian films, songs, and TV series not just in the subcontinent, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other overseas markets.
While most of the streaming services in this list are only available in India, some (like Eros Now) are available to international audiences.
Top Indian General Live TV Streaming Services
Top Indian Live TV & On-Demand Streaming Services (Mixed Options)
Top Indian On-Demand Streaming Services (Mixed Options)
Top India On-Demand Streaming Services (Niche Options)
Top Chinese Streaming Services
China’s rapid economic development has fueled the growth of an increasingly sophisticated media and entertainment landscape. The Chinese movie market is now the world’s largest (eclipsing even that of Hollywood), and some of the world’s most lavish movies and TV series are being produced in China.
Unlike the other markets mentioned here, China’s streaming services are completely homegrown since content from foreign companies are blocked. As a result, streaming audiences are much smaller and are completely restricted to mainland China.
Top Chinese General Live TV Streaming Services
- Huajiao
- Taobao Live
- JD Live
- Inke
- YY Live
- Yizhibo
Top Chinese On-Demand Streaming Services (Varied Content)
Top Chinese Live Sports Streaming Services
Top European Streaming Services
Europe has a rapidly expanding streaming market. While the major American streaming platforms (with the exception of Hulu) are available in select countries, demand for local programming is very strong.
European auteurs continue to lead the world in cinema and entertainment, and the three major film festivals (held in Cannes, Berlin, and Venice) regularly showcase European films that garner international critical acclaim.
