# Pluto TV Faces User Decline Amid Fierce Competition in Streaming Market

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/pluto-tv-faces-user-decline-amid-fierce-competition-in-streaming-market/
- Published: 2026-11-11T12:48:10+00:00
- Author: Olamide

Pluto TV, the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service now under the
Skydance umbrella, is navigating a challenging period as its monthly active user
base has experienced a notable contraction. During a third-quarter earnings report
on Monday, Skydance—the entity formed following the merger of Paramount and Warner
Bros. Discovery—disclosed that Pluto TV currently serves approximately 75 million
monthly active users.

## A Shift in User Metrics

The latest figures represent a downward trend for the platform. Internal data previously
indicated that the service reached 89.6 million monthly active users in 2025, following
a reported growth of 5.4 million users that year. This peak followed a steady climb
from 80 million users in May 2023 and an estimated 84.2 million in 2024. The current
count of 75 million suggests a significant departure from the growth trajectory 
seen in previous years.

This decline presents a strategic hurdle for Skydance CEO David Ellison. Following
the recent merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, Ellison is tasked with building a
streaming powerhouse capable of challenging industry titans such as Netflix and 
Disney. The performance of Pluto TV is a critical component of this broader ambition.

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## Technological Convergence and Interface Changes

In an effort to streamline operations, Skydance has been working on a “convergence”
project, merging the underlying technology of Pluto TV with Paramount+. According
to Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz, the first phase of this transition is largely 
complete, with Pluto TV now operating on the same technological infrastructure as
Paramount+ across all major platforms. The executives noted that this shift is intended
to lower operating costs, accelerate product development, and enhance personalization
and monetization capabilities.

However, the platform has also undergone a significant interface overhaul. In September,
the service refreshed its layout to emphasize on-demand content, moving away from
its traditional focus on always-on live channels. While Skydance management maintains
that these updates are improving the user experience, some internal employees have
suggested that the interface changes may have contributed to the recent dip in user
engagement.

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## The Competitive Landscape

Pluto TV, which launched in 2014, was a pioneer in the FAST space. Despite its early
lead, the market has become increasingly crowded and competitive. Data from Nielsen
indicates that while Pluto TV’s share of US TV viewing peaked at 1% in February 
2025, other free streamers have seen substantial growth.

Tubi, owned by Fox, has seen its monthly active user base climb from 74 million 
in September 2023 to 110 million as of August 2026. Similarly, The Roku Channel 
has expanded its reach, growing its US TV viewing share from 1.1% in May 2023 to
2.9% in August. In the broader streaming ecosystem, YouTube continues to lead, commanding
a 15.8% share of US TV viewing as of August, significantly outpacing competitors
like Netflix.

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As Skydance integrates its newly acquired assets, the company faces the ongoing 
challenge of maintaining its footprint in a streaming market where audience loyalty
is increasingly being captured by rapidly growing rivals.

**Source:** [businessinsider.com](https://www.businessinsider.com/pluto-tv-shrinks-layout-change-tech-shakeup-skydance-david-ellison-2026-11)

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  TL;DR (AI Generated)

Pluto TV has experienced a notable decline in its monthly active user base, dropping
to approximately 75 million amid fierce competition in the streaming market.

To address this challenge and reduce operating costs, Skydance merged the platform's
underlying technology with Paramount+ and introduced an interface overhaul emphasizing
on-demand content.

However, while Pluto TV struggles to maintain its growth trajectory, rival free 
services like Tubi and The Roku Channel have seen substantial expansions in their
audiences and viewership shares.

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