Sports content grows across streaming platforms

HBO Max tops sports streaming analysis

Sports programming now represents 5 percent of overall content across leading global subscription video-on-demand platforms, according to new analysis from Gracenote, Nielsen’s content intelligence business unit.

The findings come from the latest update to the Gracenote Data Hub, which now includes HBO Max alongside Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+. Gracenote said HBO Max currently offers the largest share of sports content among the major streaming services tracked, accounting for 35 percent of available sports programming.

At the individual game and event level, HBO Max provides 42 percent of sports content available across the platforms analysed.

Sports share grows on SVOD platforms

Gracenote said sports has become a more significant part of streaming catalogues over the past 18 months. In November 2024, sports accounted for 1.4 percent of programming across Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+.

That figure has since increased to 3.3 percent among those five services. With HBO Max added to the analysis, sports now makes up 5 percent of total content across the combined platforms.

According to the report, there are now nearly 38,500 sports shows, episodes, games and events available across the six streaming services.

After HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video accounts for 25 percent of available sports programming, followed by Netflix with 16 percent and Disney+ with 14 percent.

HBO Max leads sports events offering

At the game and event level, Paramount+ previously led Gracenote’s sports rankings in its Q1 2026 analysis. However, the Q2 update places HBO Max ahead with 42 percent of sports games, events and sports show episodes, while Paramount+ accounts for 30 percent.

The report also noted that Paramount Skydance’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery could strengthen the combined company’s position in streaming sports globally.

Alongside growth in sports content on SVOD platforms, Gracenote highlighted continued expansion in FAST channels.

FAST channel growth continues

The analysis found the number of FAST channels increased by 19 percent year-over-year. Entertainment, sports, news and reality remain the dominant genres, while news channels recorded the highest annual growth at 57 percent.

Gracenote also said live sports plays a major role within FAST programming. More than one-third, or 37 percent, of content on FAST sports channels consists of live sports events.

Launched in November 2024, the Gracenote Data Hub tracks programming trends across six major SVOD services and 2,120 FAST channels using Gracenote Global Video Data.

www.gracenote.com

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