Sports content is rapidly expanding across global subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms, according to new data released by Gracenote, a business unit of Nielsen.
The company’s Q2 2026 update of the Gracenote Data Hub found that sports now accounts for 5% of total programming across major streaming services, including HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+.
According to the report, HBO Max currently holds the largest share of sports content among the platforms tracked, accounting for 35% of available sports programming. At the level of individual games and live events, the platform represents 42% of the sports content analysed by Gracenote.
Gracenote added HBO Max to its quarterly tracking in the latest update. Prior to its inclusion, sports content represented 3.3% of programming across Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+, compared to 1.4% in November 2024.
The analysis also found that nearly 38,500 sports shows, episodes, games and events are now available across major global SVOD platforms.
After HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video accounted for 25% of sports programming tracked in the report, followed by Netflix at 16% and Disney+ at 14%.
The report further highlighted the growth of FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) channels. According to Gracenote, the number of FAST channels grew 19% year-on-year, with news channels recording the highest annual increase at 57%.
Sports continues to remain a key category within FAST ecosystems as well. The report noted that 37% of programming on sports-focused FAST channels consists of live sports events.
