As we wrap up 2024, it’s clear that streaming has become central to how people experience entertaining content worldwide. While traditional TV still holds some ground, streaming platforms are defining how and where viewers tune in, as well as what content resonates most. 

For anyone looking to understand where streaming is headed, this article breaks down seven key streaming trends for 2025 that will help you keep up with changing viewer demands and position your content for success.

1. Growth of Localized Content: Think Global, Stream Local

You’ve probably noticed that local shows are becoming big business. Viewers are increasingly choosing content that feels personal—whether that’s through language, culture, or local context. Netflix is a great example of this. They’ve invested heavily in producing shows and films in multiple languages and regional formats across the globe. From Money Heist in Spain to Squid Game in South Korea, Netflix has tapped into the value of local stories with universal appeal. The reason? Localized content often feels more relatable and authentic, making it a magnet for loyal viewers.

Whether you’re broadcasting local news, sports, or even cooking shows with regional flavours, there’s an audience eager to engage with content that feels like “home”.

To make this work, consider collaborating with local producers or offering dubbing and subtitling options to reach multiple language audiences. At Jet-Stream, we support multilingual streaming, so if you need help making your content accessible across regions, we’ve got you covered.

2. The Rise of Sports Streaming: Going Beyond Traditional TV

Sports fans are moving online, and the rise of sports streaming is something you can’t afford to overlook. Younger audiences, especially, are no longer glued to cable TV; they’re finding their favourite teams and matches through digital platforms. 

It’s not just the major leagues like the NFL or Premier League that are benefiting—there’s a growing appetite for regional and niche sports, too. This opens up a big opportunity for sports organizations. If you are in charge of a sports club or league, consider launching your own digital streaming channels. Take Ajax, for example—they launched Ajax TV, which offers fans access to behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and more. Owning your channel not only gives you full control over your content but also opens up new revenue streams.

3. Ad-Supported Streaming Gains Traction: A Cost-Friendly Option

Subscription fatigue is real. With so many paid services, more people are reconsidering how much they’re willing to spend on streaming. This is where ad-supported models are making a comeback. Platforms like Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV), Peacock, and even Disney+ are proving that viewers are more than willing to watch a few ads if it means a lower bill.

For you, this is a chance to tap into a wider audience by offering both ad-supported and premium options. Many viewers are already familiar with ad breaks from traditional TV, so the transition to ad-supported streaming feels natural. Consider combining this model with other monetization options, such as premium subscriptions or pay-per-view, to capture different segments of your audience.

4. Content Personalization: Keeping Audiences Hooked

Another trend to keep on your radar is content personalization. As more platforms collect viewer data (with consent… or so we hope), they’re able to recommend shows, movies, and even news articles tailored to individual tastes. This is no longer just for the Netflixes of the world. You can use the same personalization tactics to engage your viewers.

As a broadcaster, you can use personalization to recommend relevant content to your viewers based on their preferences, habits, or region. By showing your audience the right content at the right time, you can keep them coming back for more. This approach can increase engagement, grow your audience, and keep your viewers watching longer.

5. DRM for Content Protection: Keeping Content Secure

As you increase your digital presence, piracy becomes a bigger concern. That’s where Digital Rights Management (DRM) comes in. Whether it’s movies, sports, or premium shows, keeping your content secure is crucial.

We advise you not to overlook this aspect. In 2025, content protection will be just as important as the content itself. Securing your streaming rights ensures you protect your revenue and keep your assets safe from digital piracy. 

At Jet-Stream, we’ve automated the DRM process to make it easier for you to safeguard your content, so you can focus on growing your audience while we handle the security side.

6. Workflow Automation: Saving Time and Money

Time is money, and the more content you produce or stream, the more complex your workflow gets. This is where automation comes into play.

Instead of relying on expensive engineers to custom-build and manage cloud services, there are now standardized solutions available that allow you to create advanced workflows without all the hassle. For instance, with Jet-Stream Mix, you can easily set up and manage your streaming workflows—no need to build custom technology from scratch. This saves you both time and money, while also making your streaming operations more efficient. If you’re looking to streamline your workflows, get in touch with our experts or check out our Mix platform for more details.

7. Multi-Vendor Strategy: Freedom from Vendor Lock-In

As recent years have shown, relying heavily on a single tech vendor can leave you vulnerable when services are discontinued. For example, when StackPath shut down its content delivery network (CDN) services in 2022, many companies were left scrambling for alternatives. Similarly, Microsoft’s Azure Media Services retired its platform in early 2024, affecting countless broadcasters who had to transition to a new provider to avoid disruptions.

To avoid this kind of situation, it’s smart to adopt a multi-vendor strategy. By spreading your services across multiple providers, you reduce the risk of service outages and gain more flexibility in managing costs and features. With Jet-Stream Mix, you can modularly pick, use, and tune different services—integrating your own transcoders, origins, multi-CDNs, players, and analytics—all while staying in control. This ensures you’re not dependent on any single provider, giving you better uptime, cost control, and independence.

In Conclusion

Streaming is more dynamic than ever, and 2025 looks to bring even more opportunities for growth. Staying ahead means being open to change—whether that’s by offering more localized content, exploring ad-supported options, or building a more flexible tech setup.

At Jet-Stream, we’re here to support your journey. As you plan for the year ahead, consider how these trends might fit into your strategy to expand your reach and engage your audience.

There’s still time to reach out to us this year and start the next one with the right tools and strategies to make 2025 your best year yet. Let’s work together to get you ready for what’s ahead!

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