By the middle of 2025, streaming has become one of the main ways we consume content online across various industries. Although it was once restricted to TV shows, movies, and music, this year has proven that streaming technology can be applied to various sectors and impact our lives in a way we would never have believed possible just a few years ago.
This real-time, on-demand digital access has changed traditional industries and also created new business models. We’re going to look at eight industries that have already been conquered by streaming by mid-2025, including those that are well-established and those that are fast emerging.
1. Television and Film
The entertainment industry was the first to be transformed by streaming. Services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video changed how people watched shows and movies, and by 2025, streaming is almost dominant in the industry, overtaking going to the cinema or cable TV. Most major networks release content directly onto streaming platforms, completely bypassing theatrical releases.
Despite leading the charge, streaming in this industry is constantly evolving even in 2025. Niche, regional and short-form streaming content is on the rise, and more platforms are tailored to specific languages, genres, or communities. AI is being used to recommend new content to viewers for a personalized experience, and some platforms have started streaming interactive shows where viewers can influence the plot’s outcome.
2. Gaming
The gaming and streaming worlds have become one by 2025. YouTube Gaming, Twitch, and Facebook Gaming were the first innovators, but today, cloud gaming and live broadcasting of esports tournaments are an essential part of gaming. Players don’t just stream their sessions; several games are being designed with spectators in mind. Viewers can vote on outcomes, drop gifts to the players, or even influence the in-game environment.
Platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW allow users to stream high-quality games on almost all devices, giving better access to premium titles. Streaming is also crucial to competitive gaming, where betting on esports has become a multi-billion-dollar market, attracting sponsors, streamers, and fans from all over the world.
Twitch continues to be the main streaming platform for gamers, but smaller platforms are also making their mark in 2025, including Kick, Trovo Live, and DLive.
3. Music
Spotify and Apple Music laid the groundwork for streaming in the music industry. Traditional album launches are rare in 2025, with most artist singles released directly onto streaming platforms. The algorithm then picks these up and create playlists that go viral almost overnight. Independent musicians can build careers without signing with a label.
However, there has been some negativity around streaming platforms and how much they pay out to artists, with Snoop Dogg recently revealing how little he earned for one billion streams.
Even so, streaming continues to have an impact on the music industry. Live concerts are hosted on YouTube Live or in the metaverse, which attracts thousands of viewers. Fans can tip artists or purchase exclusive digital merch, or even create their own DJ sets and stream them to their followers.
4. Publishing
It may come as a surprise to many at first, but streaming has had a massive impact on publishing in the form of audiobooks. Platforms like Audible, Storytel, and Sportivy have made audiobooks as accessible as music. Authors are considering audio versions of their book vital to their book launch.
Audio storytelling has also emerged as a popular trend. It’s like Netflix for books, where original content is released as episodes, most ending on a cliffhanger, so listeners come back each week. Some platforms offer subscriptions, just like movie and TV streaming sites, that offer unlimited listening. Others will use ads or pay-per-episode models.
Although it’s unlikely that books are going to be made obsolete anytime soon, and there’s a big debate about whether listening to an audiobook counts as reading a book, more people seem to be favoring the digital alternative over reading in the traditional format.
5. Education
Streaming has changed the way we learn. Online courses, tutorials, and classrooms have become popular since 2020 and have since gained a lot of momentum. Coursera, MasterClass, and Khan Academy offer streamed educational content ranging from science lectures to cooking and programming.
This year has seen one big change in educational streaming: interactive learning. Viewers can take quizzes in real time, get feedback from AI tutors, and even stream their own study groups so others can learn as they go.
Many universities are starting to embrace hybrid learning models where some lectures are done in person and some are streamed live.
6. Fitness
Gyms aren’t going anywhere, but they’re no longer the only option to get a good workout. Streaming has turned living rooms into yoga studios and dance halls. Trainers offer live pilates classes, HITT workouts, rebounder sessions, and weight training. Platforms like Apple Fitness+ and Peloton have created a world where anyone can stream fitness content.
This year has seen an increase in personalization. Although YouTube Live was once a good place to find a solid workout, specialized platforms and apps are using AI to create workouts that consider user preferences and historical data. Smart watches track progress and can integrate with streaming platforms to adjust workouts on the go.
7. Live events and sports
Live events, which include concerts, sports games, theater productions, and festivals, have changed due to streaming. Although in-person attendance remains one of the most popular ways to enjoy these events, especially sports, online broadcasting has allowed fans from across the world to tune in to live events. These streaming productions offer multiple camera angles, commentary, and live chat features.
Sports organizations have really taken to streaming for monetization. They offer exclusive behind-the-scenes streams and athlete POV cams for premium subscribers.
8. eCommerce
One budding industry that is busy taking to streaming is eCommerce. Live shopping is when influencers or brand reps stream themselves while shopping. This has become popular in the US in 2025, after being a trend in China for many years. TikTok Shop and Instagram Live allow users to watch others shop, ask questions, and even click links to instantly purchase a product seen on screen.
Streaming has become one of the main ways we consume content, learn, shop, and entertain ourselves. It has changed many industries, and those that have embraced streaming platforms are thriving. Technology and bandwidth are constantly improving, and it appears streaming’s capabilities may still be in its infancy.