October proved there’s no slowing down in the streaming arena. Major players like Apple TV+, Paramount+, and Max hit the gas with some clever expansions, daring promotions, and surprising partnerships. Each of them put their best foot forward, all fighting for the top spot in the digital merchandising spotlight.
Apple TV+ made one of the month’s biggest stories by linking arms with Prime Video, kindly offering U.S. Prime subscribers a $9.99-a-month pass to Apple’s acclaimed lineup. This fresh alliance was sure to boost viewership for Apple TV+’s original hits like Wolfs, Disclaimer, and the latest season of Shrinking, capturing an impressive four out of ten of October’s top slots in our Merchandiser rankings. Coincidence? We think not. Paramount+, Max, and the rest weren’t just tagging along this October either – they threw down some serious moves. Intrigued to see who pulled off the biggest plays? Peek into our US – October Merchandiser of the Month report to see the streamers that truly stole the show (and maybe set the stage for what’s next).
Netflix also made headlines by tweaking its prices in certain regions – a move aimed at keeping growth steady as the initial surge from its password-sharing crackdown starts to settle. With millions of new sign-ups under its belt, Netflix is now trying to find that sweet spot between keeping subscribers happy and boosting revenue. But with the streaming space more packed than ever, can this strategy help Netflix hold its ground?
October was a dream for horror lovers, as streamers leaned into the scare factor with big, bold moves. STARZ transformed Fire TV with a showcase of horror classics, while Paramount+ launched its Peak Screaming lineup, bringing thrillers like Smile and A Quiet Place: Day One front and center. Max took things up a notch with No Sleep October on Roku, while DirecTV went all-in resurrecting Beetlejuice with a screen takeover that had sandworms crawling across home screens. If October’s streaming trends prove anything, it’s that frightful fun is still very much in demand. Curious to see the haunting visuals in action? Dive into our US – October Merchandiser of the Month report for all the eerie details.
In the AVOD and FAST sphere, Tubi and Pluto TV kept things lively in October’s free-to-watch arena. Pluto TV turned heads by offering the first seasons of popular Paramount+ shows for free on Vizio TV, sparking curiosity and nudging viewers toward paid content. Meanwhile, Tubi leaned into the drama with TMZ Presents: The Downfall of Diddy The Indictment, grabbing prime Fire TV space and a first Trending on Tubi overhead banner on Samsung, hooking true-crime fans as the high-profile story unfolds.
From innovative partnerships to genre-focused promotions, October set new streaming standards across platforms. Curious about who took the top spot for prominence? Check out our US – Merchandiser of the Month October report to see which streamers commanded attention and redefined the digital landscape. The story doesn’t end here – there’s plenty more to uncover.
