Gracenote, the content data business unit of Nielsen, has found that sports programme offerings across the top five SVOD services jumped 52% year-over-year.
This sharp increase, identified in the latest Gracenote Data Hub update, underscores the importance of sports content (live games and related content) to providers’ audience engagement strategies, the company stated.
The research also found that over the past year, Paramount+ has vaulted past Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to lead in streaming sports programming at the individual game and event level. Following its acquisition of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) broadcast rights from ESPN starting in January 2026, the service now delivers more than twice the sports content of any subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platform, up 219% year-over-year. During the same period, the Disney+ sports catalogue contracted 23%.
In other findings, streaming content growth has extended beyond subscription platforms to no-cost, no-commitment services. Gracenote’s analysis of 2,060 FAST channels available worldwide revealed that sports content on FAST grew 30% year-over-year. With more than 200 dedicated news channels now available, news programming on free ad-supported streaming services increased 58%. Additionally, the number of movies and TV shows available on FAST rose 26% and 24%, respectively, year-over-year.
.jpg)
Expanded Future Tech to showcase the very best in innovation, technology and talent
After a successful debut in 2025, Future Tech returns to Hall 14 of the RAI this year, with more features, more innovation and more of the technologies shaping the next era of media and entertainment.
.jpg)
EU approves Paramount's WBD acquisition with conditions
The European Commission has approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Isabel Davis to become Director of BFI Filmmaking Funds
The British Film Institute (BFI) has named Isabel Davis as Director of its BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Funds.
Netflix uses GenAI on 300 titles in 2026
Netflix has revealed that nearly 300 titles on its platform have used generative AI, from early concept stages and pre-visualisation through to post-production and release.
Poppy Dixon appointed BBC Head of Documentaries
The BBC has appointed former Sky executive Poppy Dixon as its Head of Documentaries.
.jpg)
