The streaming industry continues to evolve rapidly, and the first-ever The Streaming Wars live webinar brought together some of the brightest minds in the business to dissect where things are headed. This article highlights the major themes and industry insights from the discussion. This webinar was made possible thanks to the team at Looper Insights, whose support helped bring these important conversations to life. Here are the key takeaways that streaming executives and professionals must pay attention to in 2025 and beyond.
1. The Great Rebundling: Expanding Beyond Video
The conversation highlighted the ongoing trend of bundling, but it’s no longer just about video-to-video partnerships. Companies are looking at broader subscription-based bundling models that integrate media with other consumer services. Whether it’s music, gaming, broadband, or even lifestyle services like food delivery, bundling is evolving into a strategy that increases stickiness and lifetime customer value.
- Key Insight: Expect to see more partnerships between streaming services and non-media companies, following the success of broadband + media bundles.
- Why It Matters: Consumers seek simplicity and value, and companies that integrate entertainment into their daily lives will have an edge.
2. Bundling as an Acquisition vs. Retention Play
Is bundling a better tool for customer acquisition or retention? The debate led to a clear consensus: both. Bundling helps attract new customers, but it also plays a crucial role in retention by keeping users engaged with a broader content library. Streaming services are experimenting with multi-month plans, win-back offers, and targeted bundling strategies to reduce churn.
- Key Insight: Bundles aren’t just about price—they’re about increasing engagement and cross-service sampling.
- Why It Matters: Understanding which content bundles drive long-term loyalty can be a game-changer for reducing churn.
3. The Importance of Customer Choice in Subscription Models
One central theme was the consumer expectation for flexibility. Today, subscribers can access streaming services through direct apps, super aggregators like Prime Video Channels, or telecom partnerships. This creates a fragmented ecosystem where customers need better navigation tools.
- Key Insight: Consumers want to choose how they subscribe, via a direct platform or an aggregated service.
- Why It Matters: Streaming services must balance direct-to-consumer ambitions with partnerships that expand reach, without losing control over user data and pricing.
4. FAST and Free: The Rise of Live Events on FAST Platforms
A major moment in the FAST space was Tubi’s ability to stream Super Bowl 59, pulling in 13.6 million viewers. This marked a significant shift in how audiences engage with premium live content on free platforms.
- Key Insight: Live events—especially sports—drive engagement on FAST platforms and attract high-value advertisers.
- Why It Matters: While major networks still control high-profile sports rights, smaller leagues and niche sports could thrive on FAST.
5. The Subscription Model is Expanding, but Ads Are Inevitable
Despite the push toward ad-supported streaming models, some premium services—like Starz—are doubling down on a purely subscription-based approach. However, hybrid monetization models (subscription + ads) are becoming the norm across the industry.
- Key Insight: Even subscription-based services must justify their value as ad-supported models become more sophisticated.
- Why It Matters: Services that understand their core audience’s willingness to pay will shape the future of monetization.
6. The Data Black Hole: Churn Isn’t Always Churn
One of the biggest challenges streaming services face is tracking where customers go when they churn. If a subscriber cancels a direct subscription but signs up for the same service via an aggregator (like Amazon Channels), is that truly churn?
- Key Insight: The lack of visibility into customer migration across platforms is a growing concern for streaming services.
- Why It Matters: Streaming platforms must find ways to retain access to user data even as aggregators expand their role.
Looking Ahead: Simplifying the Consumer Experience
A recurring theme throughout the webinar was the complexity of the streaming ecosystem. While content availability has never been higher, the consumer experience remains fragmented. Universal search, better discovery tools, and seamless integrations will be critical to the next wave of innovation.The Streaming Wars will continue tracking these trends and fostering conversations that advance the industry.
If you have thoughts on these insights or want to continue the discussion, please don’t hesitate to contact us—we’d love to hear from you.
