Video Streaming Predictions For 2026
We are days away from the dawn of the New Year.
It's that time of the year when people are in the "holiday" mode; and it’s also when Skara shares its video streaming predictions for the coming year.
And speaking of 2025, it has been an exceptional year, redefining how content is made, consumed, and monetized across markets.
Over the years, we've seen how the video streaming industry has evolved from being merely a means of entertainment to becoming a reliable source of earning for video creators. From the recent Netflix-WarnerBros acquisition announcement, Hotstar’s merger with JioCinema to the rise of AI and microdramas, the future of streaming looks more dynamic than it has ever been.
Predictions For The Year Ahead
Now, let’s dive into what 2026 might have in store.
Prediction 1: Hyperlocal Can Be The New Global
In a world where consumer preferences vary, the “one-size-fits-all” content approach proves unsustainable. People, nowadays, are more into culturally relevant, local stories that mirror their lives. They feel more connected when they watch content in their native language.
According to PwC's Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2024–2028, local and regional language content will be a major growth driver in South Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Say, for instance, Amazon Prime Video’s web series Panchayat has won the hearts of millions of Indians, including the rural audiences, for its simple and authentic depiction of Indian village life.
Local content is no longer an option; it is a “must-have” feature for higher audience engagement and retention.
Prediction 2: AI-driven Personalization Will Speed Up Content Discovery
Given the vast library of video – from movies and web series to sports and documentaries – content discovery often stands as a roadblock. Viewers typically spend around 20 minutes on average to find what to watch next. This eventually leads to decision fatigue and, most of the time, subscription cancellations.
However, in 2026, artificial intelligence will turn the tables and drive the next stage of streaming evolution. By identifying the kinds of movies or genres that consumers enjoy watching the most, AI will recommend shows based on their tastes, significantly reducing content search time.
Netflix's and Amazon Prime Video’s fan bases, for example, are rapidly growing as a result of their highly precise algorithm, which matches users with the right content. Thus, following their lead, more content streamers are likely to invest in personalized algorithms in order to provide viewers with a satisfying experience.
Prediction 3: A Tiered Subscription Approach Might Lead The Way
A multiple subscription approach is becoming more common and will likely keep growing in popularity. Why? Firstly, this approach allows for greater flexibility while keeping all audiences' affordability levels in mind. Secondly, this will help maximize retention.
Since OTT giants serve a wide range of consumer cohorts spanning demographics and watch preferences, they consistently employ a tiered subscription model. At the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Big Picture Summit 2025, Shilangi Mukherji, director and head of SVOD business, Prime Video India, stated that Amazon Prime has introduced tiered subscription options for India, including Prime Lite, Prime Shopping Edition, and the Prime subscription.
Prediction 4: Mixed Content Formats Will Be The New Norm
In 2026, we will witness the next wave of creative breakthroughs. Mixed content formats will become more interactive and personalized, thereby turning the user journey from inspiration to conversion.
To stay competitive, major streaming platforms are continuously focused on adding value to their content offerings, which keeps their users engaged throughout. Because modern viewers have different tastes, emerging players need to invest in a diverse array of content forms. This includes not only traditional long-form scripted series and unscripted shows but also trending formats like video podcasts and micro-dramas, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Prediction 5: Mini Web Series Is Expected To Define The Streaming Industry
Streaming services are changing course and aiming to produce more small-format, compact original content that is sustainable.
Yes, we are talking about the mini webseries, a five-to-seven-episode series, typically structured across three seasons with episodes of around 20 minutes each.
Experts predict that the content economy will be redefined as a result of this change. The reasons for this are pretty straightforward:
1. This will allow video creators to experiment with a fresh format while optimizing costs and limiting risk. These series' budgets could be as low as Rs 1 crore, compared to Rs 10-20 crore for major projects. As a result, platforms have more programming freedom, meaning, if a show succeeds, it can grow, but if it fails, the financial loss is negligible.
2. This will help reach a wider audience as people are always receptive to fresh ideas and short-form, mobile-first content.
Prediction 6: Emerging Creators Might Launch Their Own Video Streaming Services
History is repeating itself, as more and more video creators are shifting from YouTube to building their own video streaming platforms. The reason is simple: to entirely own the content (as well as the capital for their efforts).
When content is created on YouTube, the platform has complete control over the creators’ videos, and their audiences. How? Creators constantly adapt to an ever-changing algorithm; hence, they are, in a way, bound by YouTube’s rules.
And, because creators belong to the YouTube ecosystem, even if a creator creates a 'fanbase', they are still indirectly part of YouTube.
Moreover, YouTube takes 45% of the money earned from ads and gives creators the remaining 55%.
However, launching their streaming business allows creators to overcome this obstacle. Creators can actually own their videos, and are not restricted by changing algorithms or content policies. Plus, they can charge their subscribers directly through affordable monthly subscriptions, and keep 100% of what they earn.
Dropout, which was started by the former CollegeHumor team, is one such example. After years of creating quick, snappy sketches (only to keep up with YouTube’s algorithms to gain wide reach), they switched to its own subscription-based platform. Now, without relying on any algorithm race, they have more committed, paying members than ever.
This direct-to-fan monetization model is substantially more lucrative since it allows creators to earn steady income without having to worry about algorithm changes.
Additionally, it also helps creators expand their reach by creating a dedicated community where they can interact directly with their loyal fanbase.
A Promising Start For Video Creators
The video streaming ecosystem will enter a new era in 2026. As platforms pivot toward cost-effective monetization models and AI personalization, creators have a unique opportunity to cultivate trust and high engagement among their viewers. It’s no longer just about "streaming" – it's about fostering meaningful connections.
And if you’re a creator reading this: we hope these insights give you the roadmap you need to lead the charge. The journey ahead is bright, and we can’t wait to see what you create.
