I can easily remember the days when signing up for a Netflix account meant you would receive a physical copy of a DVD (remember those?) in the mail, to watch and then mail back after a few days. Clearly, times have changed! Streaming is a BIG business now, with many different options available. Millions of us subscribe to one or more of them and shell out monthly payments for the convenience of watching what we want when we want.
Here are the top five streaming services right now:
- Netflix – 225 million subscribers worldwide
- Prime Video – 205 million subscribers worldwide
- Spotify – 180 million subscribers worldwide
- Disney+ – 130 million subscribers worldwide
- HBO Max – 85 million subscribers worldwide
In addition, there are dozens of other streaming services including Apple, Hulu, Paramount +, and Peacock, all vying for your attention and dollars. During the pandemic, a number of these companies experienced unprecedented (I just had to use that word once!) growth. However, things have not only slowed dramatically since then, but have headed in the opposite direction as subscribers cancel these mega-streaming sources.
Last year, Netflix lost subscribers in vast numbers and in less than 6 months its stock value dropped by two-thirds. The company has since announced major cost-cutting measures and layoffs.
In stark contrast to the declines the biggest streaming companies are experiencing, there are a couple of small streaming services that have solidified their purpose by providing family-focused programming. Pure Flix, an eight-year-old company, and Angel Studios have both experienced remarkable growth. On their website they have spelled out their business target this way: “The mission of Pure Flix is simple: impact the culture for Christ through impactful entertainment.” With a current library of around 3,000 titles, Pure Flix is experiencing steady monthly growth.
Angel Studios is a disruptor. They began like most other streaming services with a subscription model, but then decided to seek “angel investors” (hence the name Angel Studios) to crowdfund a series about Jesus and his followers called “The Chosen.” More than 16,000 people got on board to fund the first season of the wildly popular series.
Now in its third season, out of a planned seven, The Chosen has its own app and an extensive line of merchandise which also helps fund the show’s production. The series has had well over 450 MILLION views and is rapidly growing. As of last May, Angel Studios reported that 50,000 people have invested over $100 million in the production of new original content.
They also debuted Drybar comedy in 2017 and have seen up to 150 million monthly views through their various apps and social media avenues for this offering since that time. Angel Studios is also inviting folks to “pay it forward” and invest in new projects like “Testament,” Andrew Peterson’s youth-oriented book series turned into an animated series “Wingfeather Saga” and several other family-friendly projects.
During an interview with World Magazine, Angel Studio president, Jordan Harmon explained it this way, “We are the only studio that provides true and complete creative control to the creators. This way he says fans decide what gets made. They’re the ones who get to make the decisions, not five executives in a room.”
These two streaming services are choosing shows that provide entertainment the whole family can watch together. Programming often includes prominent themes of faith and hope. On its website, Pure Flix describes its shows as “positive entertainment that changes lives and inspires hearts” and “entertainment you can have faith in.”
For more information on these streaming services, visit angel.com or pureflix.com. I would personally encourage you to sample these streaming services for yourself. It may be just what you’ve been missing!
