Disney, AT&T Streaming Plans Could Reignite SVOD Industry Growth, Says Analyst

Subscription VOD penetration in the U.S. is slowing, but TV brands getting into the direct-to-consumer SVOD market over the next two years could gin up that growth, nScreenMedia's Colin Dixon blogged Monday. Disney's entry into streaming in 2019 could snag a sizable portion of U.S. population that hasn't subscribed to SVOD, and AT&T also appears to be looking to make HBO the anchor of a direct-to-consumer platform, the analyst said: Such entries "could be just the kick the industry needs" to push SVOD penetration past pay TV's current 77 percent.