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The number of paid music streaming subscribers hit 100 million in the US for the first time last year, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The news: Netflix is deepening its investment in unscripted TV as it aims to expand its user base and gain ad-supported subscribers, per The Wall Street Journal. The streamer reportedly spoke with Spotify about partnering on live events, including live concerts and music awards shows. Our take: Netflix鈥檚 unscripted push is a strategic move that will solidify it as a destination for high-quality originals and reality programming alike, where ad inventory is ripe, costs are low, and audiences come from all walks of life.

The trend: Gen Z is opting out of both traditional pay TV and ad-supported streaming tiers, signaling deeper changes in viewing behavior. Just 42% of Gen Z subscribers use ad-supported SVOD, while less than half of all US households now maintain a pay TV subscription. Our take: Streaming鈥檚 future depends on reaching the next generation, but current models鈥攅specially ad-supported tiers鈥攁ren鈥檛 meeting Gen Z where they are. With only 1.3 hours of streaming and 0.8 hours of traditional TV per day, Gen Z prefers social video, gaming, and music. To stay relevant, platforms must prioritize native formats, interactivity, and creator integration over legacy ad models.

顿颈蝉苍别测鈥檚 streaming bundle is driving subscriber gains and lower churn: But fiscal caution and ad headwinds may limit future momentum.

Peacock reduced losses, gained subscribers in Q1: The successes indicate that the streaming platform could become more enticing for advertisers.

Despite passing a major milestone, US subscriber growth is stalling, Streamers are pivoting to monetize superfans and squeeze more from premium users.

WBD grows streaming profits as TV revenues decline: It added 6.4 million Max subscribers, but TV ad declines and cord-cutting continue.

Disney-WBD streaming bundle sees strong retention: 80% of subscribers stay after three months, outperforming Netflix in that regard.

Disney will attract major attention at Upfronts: Ad-supported subscribers surpassed 157 million, giving it a leg up over the competition.

Ad-supported streaming now drives most new subscriptions: Platforms are embracing ads as a primary monetization strategy, not a fallback.

Studio and linear remain a dark cloud for WBD and Paramount: Revenues were down YoY for both companies, but streaming remains a beacon of hope.

The news: Snapchat and McDonald鈥檚 have launched a collaboration giving MyMcDonald鈥檚 Rewards members a chance to exchange points for a one-month Snapchat+ subscription. The offer marks the first time McDonald鈥檚 is offering a digital subscription service as a reward. The program is only available to new Snapchat+ subscribers. Our take: Snapchat鈥檚 decision to collaborate with McDonald鈥檚 shows its evolving strategy to bolster user monetization through premium subscriptions. Attracting new users to the platform and convincing them to become long-term paid subscribers could help alleviate this issue.

The news: Spotify鈥檚 Partner Program has opened new monetization paths for video podcasters, enabling MP4 uploads and revenue through ads and subscriptions. Creators like Ryth report earning over $55,000 per month, surpassing YouTube earnings. However, the model doesn鈥檛 support dynamic ads for premium subscribers, prompting networks to hold back. Why it matters: Nearly half of all digital media time is spent on video, and Spotify is betting big on that trend鈥攅specially among Gen Z, who increasingly prefer video-first podcast formats. Our take: Spotify鈥檚 approach may alienate ad-heavy networks for now, but video鈥檚 growth and creator enthusiasm suggest its long-term strategy is sound.

The insight: Clothing rental services are in the midst of a resurgence. Rent the Runway ended Q1 with a record number of subscribers, while Urban Outfitters-owned Nuuly added 40,000 members in the quarter alone. Our take: It鈥檚 taken time for companies to prove that the clothing subscription model can be sustainable. While Nuuly was the first to reach profitability, Rent the Runway鈥檚 rebound shows that there is an appetite for rental services that can deliver high-quality products at an affordable price point, as well as capitalize on consumers鈥� desire for newness.

A major rebound for Disney's streaming sector: Losses cut dramatically to $18 million, while Disney+ adds 6.3 million subscribers thanks to key partnerships.

A growing pack of streaming services will lean on programmatic sales as they try to grow their market share beyond 5%. Consumers are much more likely to complete video ads on CTV. Section 2: Challenges Facing Advertisers. Ad-supported tiers will play an increasingly important role for CTV providers. Most streaming subscribers aren鈥檛 on ad tiers鈥攂ut that鈥檚 changing.