• by Wayne Friedman , January 22, 2021

U.S. average weekly streaming viewing rose 12% in December 2020 to 132 billion minutes -- with Netflix and YouTube remaining the top individual services.

Netflix was at 37 billion minutes and YouTube at 27.7 billion, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by MoffettNathanson Research. Netflix grew 1% in the period versus December 2019; YouTube is up 7%.

Next comes Hulu (which includes Hulu+ Live TV), at 15.8 billion, 35% higher versus the same month a year ago. Amazon Prime Video, grew 12% to 10.6 billion. The year old Disney+ is now at 7.9 million. (Disney+ launched November 12, 2019).

Research shows the “other” category -- which include additional streamers, as well as gaming, social and un-categorized platforms -- is at 33 billion, down 3% from the previous year. (Disney+ was in the other category a year ago.)

Data in this “other” category includes streaming platforms on traditional pay TV -- cable, satellite and telco systems -- now at 9 billion weekly minutes. Also in the column were other advertising video on demand platforms -- 6.7 billion weekly minutes.
Looking at the period, March 9, 2020 to May 31,2020, analysis also shows the top 10 shows on Netflix represent 23% of its total streaming viewing minutes; 77% from other programs. In that period, Netflix ran 586 TV shows.

By way of comparison, top 10 programs on linear TV networks comprise anywhere from 51% (CBS) to 80% (Fox) of their total viewership -- Nielsen-measured viewers plus total day, average minute commercial ratings, plus three days of time-shifted viewing. NBC is at 63%; ABC has 59%.

Results here include sports programming, which can include high NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball ratings.