Netflix took over the top spot from HBO for original programming for the first time in the six-year history of a survey by Morgan Stanley.
In Morgan Stanley's Sixth Annual Streaming Media Survey, 29% of the respondents chose Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) for having the best original programming, which was up from 23% a year ago, according to a story by Variety. Home Box Office Inc. (HBO) placed second in the survey with 18%, but that was down significantly compared to its score of 31% a year ago.
Showtime Networks Inc. , Hulu LLC and Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) were all in the 4% to 5% range while Starz Entertainment LLC was last at about 2%.
The survey's focus was on original programming from non-cable and premium networks, and not traditional TV networks or licensed programming.
Morgan Stanley Analyst Benjamin Swinburne said he expects Netflix will outspend HBO on original programming for the first time this year. Netflix is projected to spend $2.5 billion on content while HBO will spend $1.8 billion and Showtime $700 million.
The study also found that consumers were looking to cut down on their premium channel subscriptions. In this year's survey, about 19% of the current premium TV users indicated that they would drop HBO, Starz and Showtime in the next 12 months, which was up from 13% the previous year.
— Mike Robuck, Editor, Telco Transformation