Streaming remains Australia’s favourite way to watch or listen, ACMA research shows – The ACMA has today released new research highlighting key trends in Australian viewing and listening habits.
The research found that in 2025, almost all Australian adults (91%) used an online service to watch video content in a given week, remaining steady from the year prior. YouTube and Netflix continue to lead the market, with viewership stabilising after a long period of growth.
Paid subscription streaming services – such as Netflix, Stan and Binge – remain the most popular ways to watch content, used by 68 per cent of adults in 2025. Free-to-air catch-up TV and streaming services also held steady, attracting 44 per cent of adults. While ABC iview remains the most widely used service, its usage has dropped; meanwhile 7plus and 9Now gained more viewers.
After years of steady decline, traditional free-to-air TV (excluding catch-up) increased slightly, with 52 per cent of adults watching in 2025. Despite this modest rebound, viewership remains far below 2017 levels, reflecting the continued evolution of Australians’ viewing habits.
After several years of decline, overall radio listenership stabilised, with nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) tuning in during the past week. However, online streaming remains the preferred way to listen to music, used by 72 per cent of adults in 2025, with Spotify still the most popular service.
The ACMA research also found streaming services and broadcasters are using artificial intelligence to help audiences discover new content, improve the relevance of advertising and streamline production.
The research comprises two reports which have been published on the ACMA website:
The Trends and developments report provides overarching insights into broadcasting and digital media, while the ‘How we’ publications are interactive online reports which explore the ongoing changes to the Australian media and communications landscape.
The reports have been published as part of the ACMA’s Communications and media in Australia series, which features times series data on topics such as internet usage, broadcast and streaming consumption, mobile phone use and digital platforms. The series draws on industry data and our annual consumer survey to provide an overview of the telecommunications, radiocommunications and broadcasting sectors each financial year.
Media Release – ACMA
Link to ACMA HERE
TV Central ACMA content HERE
Streaming remains Australia’s favourite way to watch or listen, ACMA research shows
