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More long-term Netflix subscribers are canceling their subscriptions, according to a report from The Information. Survey data viewed by the outlet revealed that subscribers who have been with the service for more than three years accounted for 13 percent of cancellations in the first quarter of 2022. The data showed that overall cancellations hit 3.6 million people last quarter, an increase from the 2.5 million cancellations in the past five quarters.

Source: Survey shows Netflix is losing more long-term subscribers

Netflix’s Q1 2022 subscriber dip, although modest (representing an overall global decline of 0.1% of total subscribers) points to a future where Netflix must justify its inclusion in monthly consumer bills. Recent price increases at a time of increased cost pressure have resulted in a re-evaluation of the Netflix consumer proposition as Netflix is no longer perceived as a utility by its customer base.

Source: Why increased competition and the cost-of-living crisis add up to a new Netflix

Should Spotify have been bolder in its price rises to date in various crucial markets (such as the US, UK, and Germany)? In particular, should SPOT have upped the$9.99 / €9.99 / £9.99 monthly individual Premium subscription price point it’s been clinging to since 2008? The evidence suggests yes, it quite possibly should have.

Source: Streaming’s surprise growth in Sweden suggests that, for Spotify, the time for price rises is now

U.S. subscription streaming revenue grew 16.9% to $6.93 billion in the first quarter, representing a sizable slowdown from the 27.2% expansion the SVOD sector experienced in the same first-three-month period of 2021, according to media company figures released by the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG).

Source: U.S. Subscription Streaming Revenue Growth Down Over 10 Points in Q1

In the past two years alone, Audible has inked rich, multiyear deals with the production companies of stars like Kerry Washington, Issa Rae, George Clooney, Lena Waithe, Laura Dern, Queen Latifah, LeBron James and Kevin Hart. Many of the partnerships represent the first creative entry into audio for talent who have traditionally found success in film and TV.

Source: Do You Have a Development Deal With Audible Yet?

Netflix is expected to add 31 million subscribers globally between 2021 and 2027 despite losing 4 million in North America, according to the latest projections from Digital TV Research. However, that 31 million gain — for an estimated 253 million total subs by 2027 — is 29 million fewer than the researcher projected just three months ago, in February.

Source: Digital News Daily: SVODs To Add 485M Subs By 2027, Netflix Growth Estimate Cut By 29M

Netflix is going live for the first time. It plans to roll out the capability, which Netflix confirmed was in the early stages of development, for its swathe of unscripted shows and stand-up specials. It would mean that Netflix would be able to use it for live voting for competition series and talent contests such as its upcoming dance competition series Dance 100 from The Circle producer Studio Lambert.

Source: Netflix Exploring Live Streaming For First Time; Plans To Roll Out For Unscripted Series & Stand-Up Specials

The RIAA has gone platinum. The recorded-music business trade organization — which awards gold and platinum certifications, among other functions — celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, and the traditional gift to mark that milestone just happens to be platinum.

Source: The RIAA Celebrates 70 Years — And Its Success Setting the Foundation for Streaming

Spotify is testing a new feature that allows artists to promote their NFTs on their profiles, the company confirmed to TechCrunch on Monday. The company says the new option is available for a “very small group of artists.” Users who are part of the test will be able to preview a select number of NFTs via an artist’s profile page. Users can then learn more about a specific NFT and choose to purchase it through an external marketplace.

Source: Spotify is testing a new profile feature that lets select artists promote their NFTs

Catching Netflix, which then had over 165 million subscribers, was an almost unthinkable prospect for Disney on November 12, 2019. But just 31 months after it launched Disney Plus, surpassing Netflix in global scale is no longer a matter of if, but when. And “when” is probably later this year.

Source: Disney Adds 9.2 Million Streaming Customers in Q1, Gets Set to Run Down Netflix (Chart)