Parks Associates has released new data showing that nearly half (45%) of U.S. internet homes watch free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services and 89% of U.S. internet households subscribe to at least one streaming service.
Parks reported that 59% of subscriptions across the eight leading SAVOD (subscription ad-based video-on-demand) services are subscriptions to the basic tier with ads.
The firm released the data in the run-up to the eighth annual “Future of Video: Business of Streaming” event on Nov. 18-20 in Marina del Rey, Calif., which will feature keynote speakers from Charter Communications, Tubi, Verizon Business, Wurl, FloSports and Needham & Co. Parks will release its “State of Streaming (S.O.S.)” report during the event.
Parks also highlighted several trends that will be covered at the event, including:
- 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.
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