Prime Video overtakes DAZN with $3.8 billion sports spend
Streaming services are projected to spend $14.2 billion on sports rights in 2026, marking a 7% increase from 2025, according to Ampere Analysis. Prime Video is expected to become the top spender, allocating $3.8 billion (27% of the total), driven by its NFL and upcoming NBA deals, surpassing DAZN for the first time. Global generalist streamers like Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+ will collectively account for 44% of this spend, up from 31% in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Video’s projected $3.8 billion sports-rights bill would equal 27% of all streaming spend in 2026.
- DAZN falls to 22% of 2026 spend after holding the top spot since 2018, according to Ampere Analysis.
- YouTube TV is forecast at 14% of total streaming sports-rights spend, followed by Paramount at 8% and Netflix at 5%.
- Prime Video’s 11-year NBA deal is worth $1.8 billion per season, adding to NFL Thursday Night Football and UEFA Champions League rights.
- Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+ will account for 44% of streaming sports-rights spend in 2026, up from 31% in 2025.
Why It Matters
Prime Video’s $3.8 billion spend gives Amazon a year-round live-sports portfolio in the U.S., anchored by NFL Thursday Night Football and the first full year of its 11-year NBA deal. That pushes generalist streamers deeper into top-tier rights bidding, with Ampere saying Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+ will take 44% of total streaming sports spend in 2026, up from 31% in 2025. The next concrete marker is whether Amazon’s rights mix holds as DAZN, Paramount+ and others compete for major renewals and new tenders.
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