Streaming services reach significant tipping point in consumer preference

Global internet traffic reports indicate that video streaming now accounts for more than half of all consumer data usage worldwide. This shift reflects a rapid transition from traditional broadcast television to internet-based platforms for both live and on-demand content.

In Australia, the inaugural State of Streaming report by the Video Futures Collective (VFC) shows that 66% of Australians now prefer streaming services over broadcast television. Within Samsung Smart TV households, streaming accounted for 73% of viewing in Q3 2026, while linear viewing declined by 5% year-on-year.

The rapid expansion of IPTV services has also created regulatory challenges. Due to fragmented international laws and a lack of harmonized digital broadcasting standards, unauthorized streaming networks often operate across multiple jurisdictions. This makes it difficult for regulators to trace content origins and leaves users often unable to distinguish between licensed providers and illegal services.