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Netflix ‘would lose 57% of their subscribers if they added commercials’

The majority (57%) of UK customers would stop watching Netflix if commercials were introduced, and even lowering subscriptions would cause a significant drop off of 42%, according to new research.

The report into Traditional TV, Online Video and Streaming was published by marketing technology firm Audience Project.

Here are some of the other key findings:

  • In the UK, Netflix takes the lion’s share of the streaming audience at 70%, followed by BBC iPlayer (61%). Interestingly, YouTube, ITV Player and All4, all of which host ads, saw a decline

  • TV is still the preferred streaming device in the UK used by 42% of respondents

  • Streaming is on the rise particularly amongst the young, with almost as many 15-25 year olds streaming/downloading (63%) as watching traditional TV (65%)

This is proof, if it were needed, that Netflix is right to focus on growing through its investment in content rather than considering hosting advertising any time soon.


Netflix dominates the streaming market: The strategy is clearly working as the company is stealing the lion’s share of streaming and downloading in the UK, with 70% of respondents using Netflix to stream or download TV programmes and films, up 30% across 18 months. It is also the number one streaming service in all other countries surveyed (US, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway) except for Finland where Yle takes the lead.


In the UK, BBC iPlayer is the second most used streaming service with 61% of respondents, but down 8% during the same time period. The other streaming services seeing most growth are Amazon Prime Video which has seen growth of 33% (used by 44% of respondents) and Now TV which has secured 25% more users (used by 15% of respondents) – also reaping the rewards of investment in content. Interestingly, YouTube, ITV Player and All 4, all of which host ads, saw a decline in users.

TV is still the preferred streaming device:

In the UK, TV remains the preferred device to use for streaming/downloading TV programmes and films, used by 42% of respondents, but computers are close behind, used by 39%, while 36% use mobile, 32% a tablet, 28 % a connected TV box and 17% a video game console – a pattern mirrored by device usage in the USA. However, the computer has now surpassed TV for streaming/downloads in Germany, Sweden and Finland.


Streaming is on the rise, especially amongst the young:

83% of all UK respondents still watch traditional TV on a weekly basis, but 43% claim that this is at a lower level compared to last year. Fewer people stream/download every week compared to those that watch traditional TV (49% of respondents) but 41% claim that they are streaming more compared to last year. The pattern is markedly different amongst younger people, however, with almost as many 15-25 year-olds (63%) streaming/downloading as watching traditional TV (65%).


Double-screening provides engagement opportunities:

However, despite the decline in traditional TV viewing, advertisers can take some heart in the fact that 63% of respondents use other devices while watching TV – of which 82% are using them regularly/frequently. This potentially provides alternative and additional routes to engagement. Seventy-nine percent double-screen with their mobile, while 44% use a tablet, 35% a computer and 4% a smartwatch.

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