Streaming Services Report: Key Updates – August 2025

In August 2025, the streaming landscape evolved across Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia, and global markets, with platforms experimenting with new monetization models, live content strategies, and direct-to-fan services. Major moves included HBO Max’s global bundling expansion, ESPN’s standalone streaming debut, and African storytelling going global through EbonyLife ON+. 

Global Updates 

• HBO Max via Prime Video Channels – Now available in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, the U.S.A., and Spain, offering a 7-day free trial to expand distribution. 

• Liberty Global – Sold its 2.5% stake in Vodafone (USD 1.4B) to reduce debt and refocus on core markets. 

• RTVE Play (Spain, Global) – Approved to include advertising under regulation, balancing revenue generation with fair competition. 

• EbonyLife ON+ (Global) – New global subscription platform showcasing African originals, films, and series, led by Mo Abudu. 

• Niio Art (Global) – New subscription-based art streaming service, delivering curated digital art for homes, offices, and public spaces. 

Latin America 

• Siara+ (Brazil) – Free public VOD platform offering educational, cultural, and entertainment content to expand access. 

• Ligga Play (Brazil) – New TV Everywhere service providing live channels, on-demand content, and local productions, with regional expansion potential. 

Insight: 75% of Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube Premium users subscribe directly, while 15% of Disney+, HBO Max, and Pluto TV users access via non-telco bundles. Netflix’s ad-tier doubled its adoption in under two years. 

North America 

• Howdy (USA) – Roku launches a low-cost ad-free service at USD 3.99/month, targeting budget-conscious viewers. 

  • ESPN (USA) – New standalone streaming service ahead of the football season: 

  • ESPN Select: USD 12/month 

  • ESPN Unlimited: USD 30/month 

  • Bundles with Disney+ & Hulu available; includes NFL Media content. 

• Fever Direct (USA, Indiana) – WNBA’s Indiana Fever debuts a team-owned streaming platform with live games and exclusive content. 

• NewsON (USA) – Acquired by ZEAM from Sinclair to strengthen local streaming footprint. 

• Nexstar (USA) – To acquire Tegna for USD 6.2B, creating one of the largest U.S. local broadcasters. 

• MSNBC → MS NOW (USA) – Major rebrand to digital-first focus, targeting younger streaming audiences. 

Insight: Average subscription price is USD 12 (U.S.), USD 11 (Canada); 500+ bundles available, 81% U.S.-based. 

Europe

• SportDeutschland.TV → SportEurope TV (Europe) – Rebrand and expansion to become a pan-European sports hub. 

• TVNZ+ (Netherlands) – Paid FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage via streaming, competing with Sky TV. 

• Streamz (Belgium) – Introducing account sharing restrictions, tying access to a home location verified by IP/device IDs. 

• LNP Pass (Italy) – Relaunch of Italian basketball streaming platform, focusing on live and on-demand coverage. 

Insight: 25% of households in EMEA prefer live sports (lowest globally). In Germany, despite high free/ad-supported availability, 71% still prefer subscriptions. 

Asia

• KION (Kyrgyzstan) – Russian operator MTS Media expands into Central Asia, offering movies, series, and live TV. 

• CCP Channel (Philippines) – New platform from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, streaming arts, cultural, and educational content. 

Insight: APAC households use 4 platforms on average; 45% prefer live content, far higher than other regions. Disney+ Hong Kong launches an annual plan promo with Disneyland tickets (HK$1,802 value). 

 
Download the full July 2025 report for detailed platform coverage and regional trends. 

Discover in-depth profiles of 800+ platforms in BB Media’s Streaming Services Directory. 

Want to know where the main platforms are present?  Which revenue model stands out in each region? Platform Essentials, a service within Origin Insights, was born from the need of the customers who were looking for a broad list with enclosed variables of streaming services from different regions. It gives you a technical data sheet of all streaming services in existence. Platform Essentials covers over +121K on-demand and live streaming content platforms worldwide.