Online streaming is an exciting industry

Online streaming and live TV consumption increases by nearly a third respectively in the UAE and KSA compared to 12 months ago, indicates new research from YouGov Omnibus.

The research findings show how rapidly media trends are shifting in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In the past 12 months 29% of consumers across both countries have increased the frequency with which they listen to music using online streaming services. This trend is strongest in the UAE, where the figure rises to 35%. By contrast, 24% of UAE consumers don’t listen to music using online streaming as much as they used to. The net increase (+11) shows the strong growth of online music streaming services in the emirates in the past year alone.

A third of consumers in Saudi Arabia claim to listen to the radio less than they did 12 months ago, while in the UAE 28% have tuned in less. However, CDs have seen the biggest plunge in popularity; 35% of consumers in both countries have played CDs less in the past year.

Overall, a third (34%) of online consumers across both countries have subscribed to a music streaming service at some point. Of those who have previously subscribed to such a service, half (52%) still have a subscription. Interestingly, the study shows once customers change digital music service providers, it’s hard to entice them back. When propositioned with better sound quality, respondents claim they are more likely to stick with and pay more with their current provider (79%), whereas fewer (64%) would return to and pay more with their previous provider.

Three in ten consumers say they stream video content more than they did a year ago. Much like music, consumers are also increasingly using subscription services to watch video content. As many as three in ten (29%) across both countries say they watch video content on platforms that do not require payment and/or a subscription, while a quarter (26%) pay to watch video content via streaming services more than they did a year ago. Yet broadcast TV remains popular; nearly a third of consumers across both countries (30%) say they watch more live TV more than they did 12 months ago.

“There’s no question this survey shows online steaming is an exciting industry to be in right now in the Middle East region,” observes Kerry McLaren, head of Omnibus Research for YouGov. “In particular, UAE consumers are favouring such services more and more over traditional means, and are prepared to pay for the privilege. While it looks like radio providers will need to diversify to maintain consumer engagement in future, traditional live TV is striking the right balance and shows no signs of slowing when it comes to consumer entertainment preferences.”

From a global perspective, Netflix is approaching 110 million subscribers worldwide. Online music streaming service Spotify is now worth more than the entire US music industry, with an estimated value of $8.4 billion.