Video Distribution at a Crossroads: 45% of US Internet Households Watch FAST Services

Future of Video: Business of Streaming returns for eighth annual conference November 18-20 at the Marina del Rey Marriott

PLANO, Texas, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates today announced the eighth annual Future of Video: Business of Streaming on November 18-20 will feature keynote speakers from Charter, Tubi, Verizon Business, Wurl, FloSports, and Needham & Company. The research firm reports 89% of US internet households subscribe to at least one streaming service and 45% watch free ad-based services. Further, the firm reports that 59% of subscriptions across the eight leading SAVOD (subscription ad-based video on demand) services are subscriptions to the basic tier with ads.

Parks Associates will host Future of Video, sponsored by Philo, InterDigital, Skreens, Sling TV, TiVo, and OTTx, on November 18-20 at the Marina del Rey Marriot in Marina del Rey, California. The executive conference gathers executives and market leaders to debate the impacts of aggregation, advertising, bundling, and AI in audience engagement and revenue growth.

Featured keynote speakers:

• Scott Barton, Group VP, Charter Communications
• Dave Bernath, CEO, Wurl
• Mike Levy, SVP, Global Rights Acquisition, FloSports
• Josh Arensberg, CTO of M&E, Verizon Business
• Samuel Harowitz, VP, Content Acquisition and Partnerships, Tubi
• Laura Martin, Managing Director, Senior Internet & Media Analyst, Needham & Company

"The real battle is shifting to the distribution, discovery, and monetization of video," said Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates. "Traditional and digital distribution are converging, with ISPs and connected TV (CTV) platforms emerging as gatekeepers. Consumers don't see categories anymore — they just want frictionless access. While the early years of streaming were focused on subscriber growth, advertising is becoming the primary growth engine for the video industry."

Parks Associates will release its State of Streaming (S.O.S.) report during Future of Video, including the following research-based insights:

• Ad spend on CTV surges: Platforms are leaning into addressability and measurement to unlock higher CPMs.
• FAST services level off: After rapid growth, usage of free ad-supported streaming TV dipped to 45% of households in Q1 2025, a signal that advertisers will need smarter targeting and integration to keep audiences engaged.
• TVOD rebounds: Consumers are increasingly willing to rent or buy single events, particularly live sports and tentpole releases, showing demand for flexible monetization options.
• Shift away from traditional pay TV: The greatest losses in spending after the pandemic spike have occurred in traditional pay TV, where spending is shrinking, showing consumers prefer flexibility and new TV options.
• SVOD resilience: Despite competition and subscription fatigue, SVOD spending remains stable.
• Flattening spend: The stabilization in 2025 after declines suggests households have reached a new baseline for video spending.
• Cost-conscious choices: Consumers are optimizing their streaming mix, possibly rotating subscriptions or cutting redundant services to manage costs.

The conference agenda reflects the market shifts, with sessions on hybrid monetization, AI in distribution, live content strategies, CTV advertising, and the role of ISPs as aggregators. Discussions will explore consolidation trends, including Charter's pending $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Communications and Disney's integration of Fubo, which are reshaping the balance of power in video distribution.

To speak, sponsor, or attend, visit www.futureofvideo.us. For request for data or interview with an analyst, contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein, 972-490-1113.

About Future of Video: Business of Streaming

Future of Video brings together senior leaders to share insights on new trends in the video and connected entertainment industries, with insights on consumer adoption, churn, and spending. The event provides insight into successful OTT strategy deployments, challenges for pay-TV providers, the role of connected CE in the growth of video viewing, new content formats, and the overall impact to the video market.

Parks Associates will host the eighth annual Future of Video at the Marina del Ray Marriott in California, Tuesday-Thursday, November 18-20. www.futureofvideo.us

Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein
Parks Associates
972.490.1113
[email protected] 

SOURCE Parks Associates