iWorld
Global streaming viewership skyrockets 57% in Q1 2020
MUMBAI: Streaming viewership saw rapid increase in the first quarter of the year with time spent up by 57 per cent globally year over year. On-demand content drove the lion’s share of this growth, as per a report from Conviva. Moreover, March proved a turning point in the acceleration of streaming, as stay-at-home orders rolled out in countries and regions around the world.
“On demand content carried the lion’s share of growth, up 79 per cent and capturing 72 per cent share of viewing time in Q1, up from 63 per cent share in Q1 2019. Live programming grew more modestly, up just 19 per cent overall and lost market share to 28 per cent from 37 per cent the previous Q1,” the report said.
Growth was led by Europe, up 70 per cent, and the Americas, up 57 per cent, while Asia and Africa saw 30 per cent and 25 per cent viewing growth respectively.
The report also stated that as viewers stayed home in March, consumption habits shifted rapidly. In the span of a single month, comparing February 2020 to March 2020, overall time spent streaming grew a stunning 20 per cent with on demand viewing up 28 per cent.
However, missed ad opportunities rose up to 26.9 per cent in Q1 as compared to Q4 of 2019 in the wake of Covid2019 pandemic. For 46.3 per cent of missed streaming ad opportunities, the most common issue was the lack of ad demand. While the report predicted that advertising will continue to be dampened by the evolving situation, it will return with fervor in 2021 and beyond. The advertising data included in the report is based on an analysis of 12.5 billion ad attempts in Q1.
iWorld
Meta tests Instagram Plus with stealth features and extended story tools
New paid tier targets everyday users with more control and privacy perks
MUMBAI: Meta appears to be doubling down on subscriptions, quietly testing a new premium tier called Instagram Plus that brings a mix of privacy, control and visibility tools to everyday users of Instagram.
Unlike Meta Verified, which is geared towards creators and businesses, the new offering is aimed squarely at regular users who want a little more control over how they show up and what they see on the platform.
At the heart of Instagram Plus is a rethink of Stories, the app’s most widely used feature. The test introduces the ability to view Stories anonymously, meaning users can watch or preview content without appearing in the viewer list. It also adds “rewatch insights”, allowing users to see how many times their own Stories have been viewed, a metric that has long been a source of curiosity.
There is more. Stories can stay live for up to 48 hours instead of the usual 24, giving posts a longer shelf life. Users can also create multiple audience lists beyond “Close Friends”, making it easier to tailor content for different circles such as work, family or social groups.
For those chasing visibility, a weekly “Story Spotlight” feature lets users push a post to the front of their followers’ feed. Meanwhile, searchable viewer lists make it simpler to track who has seen a Story, and a new “superlike” reaction adds a more animated way to stand out in direct messages.
The feature set may feel familiar to some. Several of these tools have previously existed through third-party workarounds or have been widely requested by users, particularly the ability to browse Stories discreetly.
Pricing for the test is deliberately modest, suggesting a strategy focused on scale. Early trials show subscription costs at roughly $1 to $2 per month in markets such as the Philippines, Mexico and Japan. The feature has not yet rolled out in India, the United States or Europe, though a broader launch later in 2026 is widely expected if the pilot gains traction.
The move reflects a broader shift in Meta’s business model. With digital advertising facing increasing competition and regulatory scrutiny, subscription products offer a more predictable revenue stream. Rivals such as Snapchat Plus have already found success, building a sizeable paying user base with similar premium add-ons.
For Meta, the bet is simple: give users more control, a touch of stealth and a dash of exclusivity, and they may be willing to pay. If the early signs hold, Instagram Plus could turn everyday scrolling into a slightly more curated, and monetised, experience.
