SensorTower: 2021 US Streaming Application Report

Streaming apps experienced a surge in first-time downloads throughout 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the adoption growth trend continued into the first quarter of 2021.

Installs of top streaming apps in the U.S. grew to 81 million in Q1 2021

Although the number of installations of the top streaming apps in the United States did not reach the record level in the fourth quarter of 2019 when Disney+ was launched, the trend of quarterly installation growth since the second quarter of 2020 has continued into early 2021. In the first quarter of 2021, the total number of installations of the top 30 streaming apps reached 81 million, an increase of 13% from the same period last year (72 million).

Consumer spending on top streaming apps in the US grew 48% in 2020

U.S. consumers are also spending more than ever on the top streaming app, with revenue reaching $605 million in the first quarter of 2021, up 48% from $408 million in the first quarter of 2020.

While iOS users remain the primary source of spending, Google Play Store streaming app revenue grew nearly 5 percentage points in the first quarter of 2021, accounting for 25% of consumer spending on top apps.

Ad-based video on demand tends to favor older users

The age gap between viewers of ad-based and subscription-based video on demand (AVOD and SVOD) apps widened last year, a trend that has continued into the first quarter of 2021. The average age of users of the top six SVOD apps hovers around 31.1 years old, while the average age of AVOD app users is 33 years old, nearly two years older than the average age of SVOD app users. This speaks to differences in user habits, as older users may be more accustomed to seeing ads when watching streaming video.

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