South Africa, Feb. 6 -- Several shifts are already defining how people watch, and how streamers respond, as new formats, viewing behaviours, and industry moves set the scene for the year ahead.

5 Trends

Here are five trends that will shape the streaming landscape in 2026.

Hardware will play a greater role in the viewing experience

For years, the streaming conversation has centred on platforms and content. But in 2026, the hardware itself is stepping into the spotlight. Smart TV operating systems are becoming increasingly influential in how content is discovered, accessed and monetised, much like app stores did for mobile.

As TV manufacturers and operating systems take greater control of the home screen, the viewing journey starts bef...