Global shift toward streaming media consumption

Media consumption is undergoing a significant transition from traditional broadcast television to internet-based streaming platforms for both on-demand and live content. In the United States, research indicates that 39% of internet households watch live events or sports via on-demand streaming services, while 25% utilize free ad-supported television (FAST) services. This shift has impacted local accessibility; for example, the Cleveland Cavaliers moved to a multi-year deal with DAZN following the shutdown of FanDuel Sports Network, resulting in 59 games being designated as streaming exclusives.

Globally, video streaming now accounts for more than half of all consumer data usage. In Australia, reports show that 66% of consumers prefer streaming over broadcast television, with streaming accounting for 73% of viewing in Samsung Smart TV households during Q3 2026. This rapid expansion of IPTV services has introduced regulatory difficulties, as fragmented international laws and a lack of harmonized digital broadcasting standards allow unauthorized networks to operate across multiple jurisdictions, complicating efforts to trace content origins.