User retention in streaming services has become a crucial measure of success. Netflix consistently excels at retaining users longer than its competitors, Apple TV+ and Paramount+. An analysis of the retention cycle shows that most Apple TV+ and Paramount+ users cancel their subscriptions within six months. In contrast, Netflix subscribers—except in APAC—remain subscribed for over two years.
The APAC region stands out as an exception in Netflix’s otherwise strong global retention. One major reason is that APAC was the last region where Netflix launched, only arriving in 2016. Additionally, the service is unavailable in China, one of the biggest markets in the region, limiting Netflix’s reach in APAC.
Several key factors contribute to Netflix's exceptional user retention:
- Early Market Entry: Netflix’s early presence in the streaming market plays a significant role in its retention success. It entered the U.S. market in 2007 and expanded globally by 2016. This gave Netflix an advantage over Apple TV+ (2019) and Paramount+ (2021-2022), which entered the market during a much more competitive period.
- Large Content Library: A key driver of Netflix’s user retention is its vast content library. Netflix’s global catalog is 302% larger than Paramount+ and a staggering 8,087% larger than Apple TV+. The number of original titles on Netflix is 10 times greater than Apple TV+ and 45 times larger than Paramount+. This sheer volume of content keeps users engaged and subscribed longer.
- Genre Preferences and Appeal: Netflix’s genre offerings also help retain users. While Apple TV+ features only two of the top five globally preferred genres—Drama and Comedy—Paramount+ caters better to regional tastes. For instance, in APAC and LATAM, Paramount+ offers four of the top five genres: Comedy, Drama, Action, and Adventure. Netflix’s genre alignment is strong in UCAN but slightly less appealing in other regions. Still, its vast library ensures a wide variety of content that appeals to users across the globe.
Price is another important factor in user retention for streaming services. Paramount+ is the most affordable service when comparing standard monthly plans across regions, except in EMEA, where Netflix is cheaper. In EMEA and LATAM, Netflix is the only service offering an ad-supported plan, which averages $4.72 USD in LATAM. In comparison, Apple TV+ and Paramount+ standard plans are priced at $6.74 USD and $4.53 USD, respectively. In EMEA, Netflix’s ad-supported plan is $3 USD cheaper than the standard options from Apple TV+ and Paramount+. In APAC and UCAN, Paramount+ also provides ad-supported plans that are less expensive than Netflix’s, but they are only available in Australia and Canada.
Several factors contribute to Netflix’s success in user retention for streaming services. The platform’s vast content library, genre alignment, and competitive pricing have helped it maintain a dominant position in the global streaming market. Netflix also continues to innovate, which allows it to keep up with changing user preferences and secure long-term customer loyalty.
As the streaming industry evolves and competition grows, Netflix’s ability to deliver diverse content at competitive prices will remain crucial to retaining users. While Apple TV+ and Paramount+ offer competitive features and pricing in specific regions, Netflix’s balanced approach keeps it ahead in terms of user retention. This well-rounded strategy ensures Netflix remains a leader in the global streaming industry, consistently attracting and retaining users.