Ampere: Global Streamer Scripted Commissions Down 24 Percent

In the first half of this year, the number of scripted originals commissioned by the top six global streamers fell by 24 percent compared with the same period last year, according to Ampere Analysis.

There were 318 first-run and renewed titles at Apple TV+, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix and Paramount+ in the first half of 2024, a gain of 14 percent on the year-ago period; this fell to 242 this year. Clarity on the impact of U.S. tariffs and the economic outlook should support increased activity in the second half, Ampere indicates.

While streamers have made the biggest cuts, the scripted pullback is industry-wide, with scripted commissions overall down by 8 percent. Netflix and Apple made the smallest cuts, down 6 percent and 4 percent, respectively, while Prime Video more than halved its scripted commissions, notably in India, contributing to a whopping 52 percent drop in Asian commissions by the big streamers. Western European commissions dropped by 44 percent, especially in crime and thriller, while North America was stable and LatAm showed a 17 percent boost.

Cyrine Amor, research manager at Ampere Analysis, noted, “Several factors underpin the reduction in H1 scripted commissions. Primarily, the move reflects the streamers’ ongoing strategic shift in their business models post the era of ‘peak TV’. This is marked by reduced investments in originals, a more cautious approach to commissioning decisions, and a heavier reliance on licensing in their content strategies. The uncertain economic climate and the prospect of taxation on international productions have further exacerbated these trends. Regional disparities support this picture. Ampere’s monthly data shows a brief recovery in April 2025, followed by a dip in May after new movie tariffs were announced. Greater clarity on tariffs and the broader economic outlook could drive a rebound in H2.”