The BFI reports that the success of streaming services is in line with changes in audience attitudes towards cinema attendance. While audiences in the UK who have seen a movie in a cinema in the past 12 months have increased from 41% in 2022 to 60% in 2024, there are still barriers to cinema attendance that make viewers shift to streaming platforms.

For example, more than a third (34%) of respondents cited the price of tickets as the top barrier to cinema attendance, followed by the lack of appealing releases. Streaming services evidently address these needs, with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube being the most-used platforms for watching a film online. However, beyond shifts in cinema viewership, there are other key factors inherent to the streaming segment that drive the UK to be the third largest video streaming market worldwide. 

Continue reading in order to learn more about growth trends and drivers for film streaming.

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Increasing broadband connectivity

The growing reach of the streaming market in the UK can be attributed to audiences’ gaining access to broadband connectivity, which offers fast loading speeds for films online. Whether viewers use video-on-demand (VOD) services or live streaming, being connected to full fibre broadband provides a smooth viewing experience comparable to watching on cinema or broadcast channels. Broadband provider Zzoomm offers giga-fast connections of up to 2000 Mbps with symmetric upload and download speeds to minimise buffers or delays while watching films. Aside from choosing a subscription contract that meets their budget and connectivity needs, consumers can also utilise free installation services and unlimited data to watch films from the comfort of their homes.

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Subscription-based plans

Data shows that subscription-based VOD services dominate the UK’s streaming market. In 2023, Brits spent £4.7 billion on mostly US-based platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Local streaming options like BBC iPlayer are also on the rise, mainly due to subscription plans that provide viewers with unlimited access to content like films at a fixed cost and with little to no ads. As previously mentioned in an industry article about streaming’s impact on the film industry, these factors of affordability, flexibility, and value remove barriers for all audiences and thus help make films more accessible.

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Production and distribution of original content

The previous industry article also discusses the role that streaming services play in the production and distribution of original content, which ultimately keeps the film industry alive. This is evidenced by the fact that the biggest streaming companies, including Netflix, Disney, Google, and Paramount Global, have increased their spending on television and film content, reaching a record $126 billion (~£103 billion) in 2024. Moreover, Netflix has also increased its investment in original content production in the UK, in particular, spending over $6 billion (~£4.9 billion) since 2020 for highly anticipated films like the next “Knives Out” sequel. By producing original and exclusive content across genres, these streaming companies keep up with ever-changing consumer tastes and preferences.

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Data analytics and insights

Lastly, streaming services’ increasing adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence enables them to gather real-time insights on viewership and consumer behaviours, such as the number of hours streaming hours and the types of content watched. By processing and analysing vast amounts of data among viewers, they can provide personalised recommendations and use the insights to inform decisions on which films to produce, distribute, and promote.

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While these factors contribute to and sustain the growth of film streaming services, there are still trends that companies must learn to capitalise on to continue increasing viewership and revenues. For example, British telecommunications company Three UK reports that average mobile data usage per user increased to 30GB per month, which means streaming services must optimise their mobile apps and content viewing options to better cater to mobile users. Continue reading the DMovies website for more film-related news and articles.