If you feel like the streaming world is changing faster than your watchlist updates — you’re not wrong. From the FAST channel boom to short-form micro-drama and AI that actually gets your viewers, 2026 is shaping up to be an … Continue reading
If you feel like the streaming world is changing faster than your watchlist updates — you’re not wrong. From the FAST channel boom to short-form micro-drama and AI that actually gets your viewers, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for anyone building video products or content businesses.
Below we’ve pulled together the most important video streaming trends and OTT trends in 2026 you should be watching — plus practical ideas you can use today to get ahead.
Here are the video streaming trends in 2026 you need to know:
FAST or Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV is no longer niche. Global FAST channel counts and engagement are climbing. Nielsen data show steady growth in channel numbers and recent programming availability. That means scheduled, linear-style streaming over the internet is now part of the core OTT ecosystem. If you’ve been thinking of repurposing existing catalogs or launching a curated 24/7 channel, 2026 is a great year to test that play.
Want to Launch a themed FAST channel to reach passive viewers who prefer a turn-on-and-watch experience? Try Muvi Playout.
Did you know that The short-form video industry is projected to reach $2.22 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 12.5% towards 2029.
People want fast, emotionally punchy content. Short-form engagement numbers are huge — short videos get more shares, higher completion rates for specific formats, and strong ad dollars flowing in. That trend isn’t just for social platforms; creators and platforms can turn short content into premium funnels (think: short previews > full episodes, micropayments, or membership hooks).
Want to know how to launch a short video platform like Dramabox? Read our blog How To Build a Short Drama App Like DramaBox Without Coding to find out.
Tactical idea: Build a “Shorts” shelf on your platform: quick original series, instructor micro-lessons, or episodic micro-dramas that lead to full-length purchases or subscriptions.
Need more help in building a Microdrama platform? Download our eBook on Microdrama and unlock all the secrets to distributing and monetizing short video content!
In 2026, personalization will no longer be optional but a must-have. Platforms that use AI to recommend, personalize thumbnails, and even auto-create short promos for each user will win more watch time and keep churn low. Industry research shows personalization delivers measurable lifts in engagement and revenue, so make personalization a product priority.
Try out Alie , the world’s first streaming centric AI engine designed to simplify content management workflows and build more intuitive streaming features that delight users.
Tactical idea: Run experiments: personalized homepages, dynamic thumbnails, and AI-powered micro-cut promos to see immediate CTR and retention lifts.
Gone are the days of “one-size” monetization. 2026 will be all about blending SVOD, AVOD, TVOD, FAST and micropayments in intelligent ways. Add interactive commerce to live streams and short form — shoppers watch, interact, and buy in the same experience. According to research, Live shopping and shoppable video are especially powerful for creators and brands who can convert engagement into revenue at much higher rates than traditional e-commerce.
Tactical idea: Test hybrid pages where a short free clip or FAST channel plays but offers a single-click paywall or shoppable link for related products.
In 2026 and beyond, viewers expect live video to feel “live.” Low latency (WebRTC, CMAF low-latency HLS) isn’t just a buzzword — it’s critical for auctions, sports, gaming, and live commerce. But it’s not just speed: integrated chat, polls, and real-time overlays make live streams sticky and monetizable.
Try Muvi Live for enterprise grade low latency live streams!
Tactical idea: If you host live events, prioritize latency and embed interactive overlays (polls, real-time Q&A, and clickable CTAs) to increase session length and conversions.
All the great trends above need rock-solid infrastructure. Expect faster, more efficient codecs and wider AV1 adoption, smarter transcoding pipelines, multi-CDN strategies, and rigorous DRM/watermarking approaches to prevent piracy. Also, sustainability is creeping into tech decisions — more efficient delivery and green CDN choices are becoming procurement filters for enterprise customers.
Tactical idea: Audit your delivery stack: measure end-to-end latency, ABR ladder efficiency, and DRM coverage. Small wins here hugely improve QoE and lower costs.
A big global catalog still matters, but audiences nowadays increasingly flock to platforms that understand local language, culture, and talent. Micro-OTT services — niche verticals for sports, education, faith, or specific language content — will thrive in 2026. These smaller services often have higher engagement and conversion rates because the content matches audience expectations more tightly.
Tactical idea: Consider a regional content push or creator partnership program to acquire highly engaged niche audiences.
As video streaming continues to evolve in 2026, businesses need more than just a video hosting tool — they need a flexible, future-ready platform that can adapt as trends shift. That’s exactly where Muvi fits in.
Muvi has a suite of video-centric products to suit all video streaming/OTT platform requirements ranging from quickly deploying FAST channels, short video platforms, robust AI personalization tools, multiple monetization methods as well as deploying secure, low-latency streams in 2026.
In short, whether you’re launching your first streaming service or scaling an existing one, Muvi provides the tools you need to stay aligned with video streaming trends in 2026 and beyond — without the complexity of building and managing everything yourself.
Want to see how this works in practice?
Book a demo and we’ll show how to launch a FAST channel or pilot Muvi Shorts in under a week.
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Not really — short form acts as a discovery and engagement engine. It’s a funnel. Use it to tease, convert, and retain.
If speed to market, predictable cost, and built-in features matter (monetization, DRM, apps, FAST playout), a platform is usually the faster, safer bet.
It varies widely. A managed platform approach (vs. building everything in-house) helps control costs and reduces ongoing engineering burden.
Written by: Sreejata Basu
Sreejata is the Manager for Muvi’s Content Marketing unit. She is a passionate writer with a background in English Literature and music. By week Sreejata spends her time in the corporate world of Muvi, but on weekends she likes to take short hiking trips, watch movies and read interesting travelogues.
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