KERALA: SVOD subscriptions in India will almost triple between 2020 and 2026 to 155 million, thus representing 10 per cent of the world’s total, according to a report published in Digital TV Research.

The report suggested that the total number of global SVOD subscriptions will reach 1.5 billion within the next five years, which represents a 65 per cent jump from the 2020 number of 591 million. 

The year that marked a peak in SVOD subscriptions was 2020 where 201 million new subscribers were added. The total number of global SVOD subscribers is expected to cross one billion by the end of 2021. 

It should also be noted that SVOD subscription growth is faster than for SVOD subscribers (an SVOD subscriber pays for at least one SVOD subscription). According to the study report, an average SVOD subscriber will pay for 2.14 SVOD subscriptions by 2026, up from 1.74 in 2020. 

The report also noted that the United States will overtake China as the subscription leader in 2021. If the trend holds, China and the United States will together account for 48 per cent of the global subscriptions by 2026. 

"There will be 700 million SVOD subscribers by 2026; up by 35 per cent from 518 million at end-2020. The 2026 total represents 39 per cent of TV households, increasing from 30 per cent in 2020," said Digital TV Research principal analyst Simon Murray.