Streaming Industry Could Turn Consistent Profit Within 18 Months, Research Firm Predicts

Streaming continued to be a mostly unprofitable business model in 2023. But London-based research firm Ampere Analysis predicts that the industry could finally turn a corner within the next 18 months.

While some studios’ streaming operations have already started reporting small profits, Ampere’s study looks at the timelines for consistent profitability, taking into account income from subscription and advertising against content costs, staff and marketing costs, depreciation and amortization to predict the point that businesses reach consistently positive earnings before income and taxes (EBIT). The study excludes sports streaming operations.

Disney is likely to reach profitability as early as the first quarter of 2024, according to the firm — two quarters earlier than the entertainment giant itself has predicted.