43% of UK consumers have cancelled a video streaming subscription

Bitmovin research reveals that two-thirds of consumers haven’t cancelled a single video streaming subscription.

VIENNA, Austria — Bitmovin, an industry-leading streaming infrastructure provider, has unveiled new research revealing that over half (57%) of Brits have NOT cancelled any streaming service despite the cost of living crisis. Value for money (57%) and the availability of their favourite content (48%) are what will keep consumers subscribed to video streaming services amidst the cost of living crisis. The research also found that almost one in five (19%) Brits valued the ability to use a streaming service across all devices as one of the top three reasons to keep a subscription.

Bitmovin’s research suggests that in a paid subscription model, the majority (58%, rising to 67% in those aged 18-35) are happy to pay that little bit extra for an ad-free experience. Most viewers (60%) are happy to tolerate ads when it comes to free streaming services, however, it seems if paying for a subscription, no matter the cost, they would like ad-free content.

Interestingly, Brits are also keen to prioritise their fitness and education, seeming unlikely to cancel fitness platforms (15%) and eLearning platforms (10%) if they were forced to due to the cost of living crisis.

Stefan Lederer, CEO, and Founder at Bitmovin commented, “Netflix’s announcement may agitate some users, however it is clear they are taking steps to help consumers through the cost-of-living crisis. The cheaper, ad-supported membership, may open the platform up to a net-new audience, but at the same time, our research indicates loyal viewers are happy to pay that little bit extra. For Netflix, it’s the best of both worlds.”

And…

“What stands out from the research is that amid global economic challenges, consumers are looking for value for money in all aspects of their lives and video streaming services are not exempt. High-quality viewing experiences and the ability to stream seamlessly are consumer requirements now. And this is the case, across not just all devices, but also across a range of subscription types, from entertainment to fitness to education and more. These factors are fundamental when considering a streaming service’s value for money, with pure content no longer the be-all and end-all for subscribers.“

Brits are still spending six hours per week watching paid-for entertainment streaming services and just three hours on free entertainment platforms on average. Interestingly, mobile phones are the second most popular choice for viewing streamed content (44%), behind Connected TVs (68%) – much higher than tablets (21%) and laptops (18%).

Stefan Lederer, CEO, and Founder at Bitmovin, concluded, “There’s still a huge demand for video streaming platforms. Streaming platforms that want to remain ahead of their competitors need to closely examine their service as a whole and ensure it delivers the best value for money – by providing the best online experience, cost-effective bundle options, and high-quality content. This is the new battleground for the streaming wars.”

About Research

The research was conducted by an external research agency to distribute the survey, collect data and provide results from 1000 respondents across the UK.