Netflix U.S. Streaming Use to Double by 2018

PLANO: According to a new report from intelligence firm TDG, domestic streaming for the online TV and movie service Netflix is forecast to reach 13 billion hours during 2013 and exceed 26 billion hours in 2018.

The report, The Maturation of Netflix: U.S. Streaming Subscriptions & Viewing thru 2022, says that despite this growth, market forces will cause domestic Netflix subs and total viewing to level out around 2020; international growth will continue.

Bill Niemeyer, TDG senior analyst and author of the new report, said: "Netflix is well out front in Over The Top (OTT) TV with excellent strategy and execution, but will face increasing competition in the US from online enterprises including Amazon, Google and Hulu, as well as the TV Everywhere efforts of television networks and multichannel operators."

"Even with domestic growth expected to plateau in 2020, Netflix will remain a formidable US market force," added Niemeyer, "Would-be competitors will need to do as Netflix has done: spend the considerable money it takes to acquire quality content, move forward with good strategy, and offer a high-quality consumer search/discovery and viewing experience."