A new study by ElectricalDirect has revealed the most popular streaming services around the world.
The study analyzed Google search volumes for 42 different streaming services in every country to determine the most popular streaming services in the world.
So what does this look like broken down by country? The results might surprise you!
Revealed: This is every country’s favorite streaming service
Despite Amazon vying to gain its share in the streaming market, it is the original streaming service Netflix that comes out as the world’s number one.
Last year, Tiger King was EVERYWHERE and this year hasn’t disappointed so far with Bridgerton, The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, and Queens Gambit all raking in an insane number of views.
Netflix, which was originally founded in 1997 to allow users of the service to borrow DVDs through the mail, remains the most popular streaming option in 94 countries, including the US. It easily dwarfed any competition from Amazon Prime, which has only managed to gain the number one spot in 11 countries.
| Streaming Service | No.1 in this many countries | Global Search Volume |
| Netflix | 94 | 1,786,000,000 |
| Amazon Prime | 11 | 661,700,000 |
| Ivi | 4 | 7,392,000 |
| ESPN | 3 | 264,600,000 |
| BET+ | 3 | 20,400,000 |
| Disney+ | 3 | 227,500,000 |
| Paramount | 1 | 11,158,000 |
| iQiyi | 1 | 13,659,000 |
| HBO Max | 1 | 47,444,000 |
Amazon Prime Dominates in the US!
The research reveals Amazon Prime takes the US title. With a huge 24.9 million monthly searches in the States, Prime is in poll position by some way.
A few million behind, Netflix has to settle for second with 20.4 million searches, while it’s ESPN who complete the top three. The sports specialist sees 16.6 million searches every month, with the drama of a different kind seeing fans flock in their droves.
The US top 10 streaming services:
| Streaming Service | US Search Volume (annual) |
| Amazon Prime | 298,800,000 |
| Netflix | 244,800,000 |
| ESPN | 199,200,000 |
| Hulu | 89,760,000 |
| Disney+ | 73,440,000 |
| Apple TV | 14,640,000 |
| Sling TV | 14,640,000 |
| Peacock | 12,000,000 |
| HBO Max | 9,876,000 |
| Fubo TV | 6,600,000 |
US-based Peacock has seen a 90% increase in searches year on year
Out of all streaming services analyzed, Peacock, the US-based streaming service has seen the biggest growth in year-on-year interest. Offering content from multiple NBCUniversal channels, Peacock burst onto the scene in July 2020 and has seen a 90% increase in people searching for it year on year.
Although it is exclusively available in the US, it’s expected that the service will become available in the UK soon with NBC previously stating that Peacock might be available for Sky customers.
Disney+ is Australia’s most popular streaming service
The research reveals a love of modern and classic Disney films across Australia – as Disney + the country’s favorite streaming service.
Disney+, which only launched last year, takes the title in three countries over the world. There are over 227,500,000 Google searches for the platform globally each year making it the 4th most popular service in the world, overtaking HBO Max and BET+.
The service so far has over 100 million subscribers across 59 countries and shows no signs of slowing. According to a new study by Digital TV Research, there are strong speculations that the Disney service will overtake Amazon Prime in the upcoming years.
The Future of Streaming
While streaming services are nothing new, their significance in culture has boomed over the last year. Due to coronavirus restrictions, they were one of the few remaining forms of entertainment left open to people.
Even prior to the pandemic Netflix, the original service, dominated the market. But with all services have seen a boost in the last 12 months, this may change, especially due to the arrival of Disney+. The Walt Disney Company has made no secret of their desire to take over a share in the streaming market, and as part of their strategy have announced 22 Marvel and Star Wars projects within the next year, in a bid to steal the crown.
