New Video Streaming Services Could Pressure 'Big 3,' Says Parks

HBO Max, Apple TV+ and Disney+ “rearranged the top ten list” of video streaming services in September, Parks Associates reported Wednesday. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu held for now the top three spots, said analyst Steve Nason. Disney+ is No. 4, where it’s been for nearly a year after launching with 10 million users, showing "how difficult it will be for any service to break into the ‘Big 3,’" said Nason: "Partnerships are essential.” HBO Max, ranked sixth, will get a boost from being on Amazon Fire TV devices (see 2011160026), he said. NBCUniversal’s Peacock is starting to make inroads in paid subscriptions, though most of its users are in the free, ad-supported tier. Sling TV and MLB.TV dropped off the list; at No. 5, ESPN+ is the only sports-based service in the top 10. Seven through 10 are Apple TV+, CBS All Access, Showtime and Starz.