"Streaming transforms entertainment: a new global audiovisual horizon"

The streaming revolution has completely transformed the way we consume audiovisual content. What once required complex logistics, such as visiting a video rental store or waiting for a program to air at a specific time, has now been simplified thanks to the immediacy and accessibility offered by digital platforms. In just a few minutes, anyone can choose from a vast library of movies, series, documentaries, and live events, all at the click of a button. This phenomenon, which began to take shape in the last decade, has reached impressive figures: in 2017, there were 320 million households subscribed to streaming services; by 2022, that number had doubled to 670 million, and it is projected that by 2040, it will surpass one billion. The impact of streaming is not limited to households. Audiences have begun to migrate en masse to digital platforms, leaving traditional television behind. Sports events, interviews with public figures, and award ceremonies have found their new home in streaming. With more and more people consuming content on mobile devices and computers, companies are making aggressive investments to acquire exclusive rights that allow them to capture this digital audience. The National Football League (NFL), for example, has begun to relax its investment rules to attract institutional capital, indicating a significant shift in how sports are financed in the digital age. The streaming sector has become attractive to investors, and it's no surprise. This new ecosystem has reconfigured the dynamics of entertainment. Major platforms are willing to pay astronomical sums for broadcasting rights, which in turn has led to an increase in the production of original content and online events. In this context, J.P. Morgan's survey on global investment outlooks for 2025 anticipates a boom in e-sports productions, a new phenomenon that combines streaming with online competitions, thus attracting a young and enthusiastic audience. The streaming landscape is not homogeneous. The industry is divided into five main groups of companies competing in this new ecosystem. First, there are pioneers like Netflix, which has managed to capture 27% of global subscription revenues in 2023. Its exclusive focus on creating and distributing content has allowed it to stand out in a saturated market. On the other hand, traditional entertainment studios, such as Disney and Warner Bros., have begun to diversify their businesses, leveraging their extensive content libraries and recognized brands. In a third group, major tech companies see streaming as a natural extension of their services. Companies like Amazon and Apple have integrated streaming platforms within their broader ecosystems, viewing this as an opportunity to offer their customers a more complete service. In this sense, the user experience is enriched and made more appealing to consumers. Video-sharing platforms like YouTube make up the fourth segment. Their hybrid model, which combines free content with subscription options, allows them to reach a massive audience, offering everything from short films to long-form productions. Finally, the group of hardware manufacturers and content aggregators, like Samsung and Roku, acts as a bridge between users and various streaming platforms, facilitating access to content. The growth figures are compelling. Global streaming revenues reached $160 billion in 2022 and could skyrocket to $510 billion by 2040, according to McKinsey's projections. This growth is reflected not only in revenues but also in how households are willing to spend on subscriptions and digital transactions, indicating a clear shift in entertainment consumption priorities. The transformation in visual entertainment consumption is undeniable. The arrival of streaming has brought not only immediacy and accessibility but also a new narrative in how we tell and consume stories. Digital platforms have begun to occupy the central place that television once held, forcing the old giants of the industry to adapt or fall behind. With advancements in technology, increased investments, and greater integration of advertising in these spaces, the future of streaming looks even more promising. This landscape indicates that streaming has established itself as the new epicenter of global entertainment, where more and more people seek personalized and on-demand experiences, challenging the old consumption norms that once defined the audiovisual industry. Thus, streaming has not only changed the way we watch television but has also redefined our relationship with audiovisual content.