Streaming wars: Who is the winner?

Nowadays, if you ask your friends, "What movie are you watching?" "What streaming service do you use?" The answers you get might vary, from Netflix to Disney+, or some might say Max (HBO) or even Apple TV+. This is it! It is a reflection of a world filled with "streaming wars."

From the very first day Netflix knocked on our door by sending our favorite series to our mobile screens, nowadays, it has turned into a field where many players have jumped in to join the fray! There are both major film studios, game studios, and tech giants all employing strategies to compete fiercely with each other.

In this article, we will take everyone to explore the intense battleground of the streaming industry to see "who is the winner?" And what tricks do each platform have that make viewers like us unknowingly reach for our wallets to pay the monthly subscription! 📺🍿

The most popular streaming🏆

Netflix

Website Netflix
Number of global users (2025): approximately 270 million people
The big brother of the industry, the pioneer of global streaming trends. Famous series like Stranger Things and The Witcher also come from this house.

Highlight😍
- Has the most content in the market, including movies, series, and documentaries
- A plethora of popular original content, such as Stranger Things, Squid Game, Money Heist, The Crown
- Highly accurate content recommendation system (Algorithm)
Weakness😭
- There are only a few truly "awesome" pieces of content; many are seen as mediocre.
- Competing on price is difficult because prices keep rising.
- Sharing passwords

Disney+

Website Disney+
Number of global users (2025): approximately 155 million people
The immense power of the Marvel universe, Star Wars, and legendary cartoons brings a complete range of content to cater to both children and adults.

Highlight😍
- Has world-class franchise content such as Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney Princess
- Suitable for all ages, especially families with children
- Partnering with various countries, such as AIS in Thailand, makes it easy to reach users.
Weakness😭
- Most of the content is focused on children, making some adults feel that the content is not diverse enough.
- The new content updates are relatively slow compared to Netflix.

Amazon Prime Video

Website Amazon Prime Video
The number of global users (in 2025): approximately 220 million people (because it includes Prime members)
Not just a casual thing because it's bundled with Prime Membership and heavily invested in massive content like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Highlight😍
- The price is worth it because it comes with an Amazon Prime membership.
- There are popular series and movies such as The Boys, Reacher, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- There is sports content in some countries, such as the Premier League in England.
Weaknesses😭
- The app's UX/UI still can't compete with rivals and is difficult to use in some areas.
- The marketing efforts are still not strong in many countries, such as Thailand.

Max

Website Max
Number of global users (2025): approximately 100 million people
Intense with quality series like Game of Thrones, Succession, and a plethora of major films.

Highlights😍
- High-quality series with numerous awards, such as Game of Thrones, Succession, Euphoria
- Movies from Warner Bros. Released quickly after its theatrical run.
- Adult content is diverse.
Weaknesses😭
- Not yet available in some countries
- The new platform "Max" is still in the adjustment phase.

Apple TV+

Website Apple TV+
Number of global users (2025): approximately 40-50 million people
Focus solely on quality, with fewer but impressive series like Ted Lasso, Severance, or Foundation.

Highlights😍
- High-quality series with numerous awards, such as Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Foundation
- Focus on in-depth storytelling and extravagant production
- Reasonable prices and often offered for free during the trial period
Weaknesses😭
- Much less content than competitors
- Not suitable for those who want to watch new series or movies every week

Watch movies and series both in Thailand and abroad smoothly and without interruption. BullVPN helps you bypass regional restrictions, unlocking all content from Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more. Just connect and you're ready to watch anywhere, anytime. Safe, ad-free, and no speed reduction.

Popular streaming in Thai market

VIU

Website viu
Suitable for those who love Korean, Chinese, Thai series, and Asian variety shows with quick updates. You can watch for free, and it's okay if there are ads. For those who want to watch in HD/without ads, you can subscribe to the VIP package at an affordable price.

WeTV

Website WeTV
Suitable for fans of Chinese dramas, as well as those who enjoy Thai dramas and Asian variety shows. Ideal for those who prefer watching dubbed content without subtitles. If you're looking to watch Western series or Hollywood movies, it might not be as suitable as other platforms.

TrueID

Website TrueID
Suitable for fans of Thai dramas and sports enthusiasts who want to watch live sports, news, and local shows. If you already use True internet, it's even more worthwhile because you get many special privileges. However, if you focus on watching foreign movies and Hollywood series, you might need to look for additional platforms.

By the three streaming services, whether VIU, WeTV, or TrueID, the number of users in Thailand (in 2025) is in the millions (approximate data).

Highlight😍
- Focus on Asian content, such as Korean dramas, Chinese dramas, and Thai dramas
- Some platforms (VIU, WeTV) offer free ad-supported packages.
- Understand Thai people's preferences, such as updating Korean dramas immediately after they air.
Weakness😭
- Lacks world-class blockbuster content
- The investment in creating original content is still low compared to the giants.

Who is winning? Popular streaming in 2025

If we measure by the number of users and the popularity of the content, we have to say...
- Netflix still leads in terms of the number of users, but its stickiness is starting to decline due to competitors snatching up market share.
- Disney+ is growing, especially in countries where it has partnered with local companies, such as Thailand.
- Amazon Prime Video has an advantage because it is tied to the Prime service that many people already use.
- Apple TV+ and Max(HBO) still focus on niche groups, but they have a loyal fan base.
- Players like VIU, WeTV and TrueID have an advantage in understanding the Asian market, but they haven't expanded much into the global market yet.

But if you ask who the true winner is? The answer is... No one has won decisively yet! Because each company has its own strengths. Some companies focus on the quantity of content, some on quality, some on price, and some on targeting specific fan groups.

But one thing is for sure: consumers like us benefit greatly because there are plenty of options to choose from according to our preferences.
And the future of this battlefield is still a long way to go. Who will stay, who will go, we have to keep watching because in the world of streaming... Content is king 🎬👑