- Categories:
- Arts & Entertainment
- Tags:
- ActivitiesAmericanMovie
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 20
- Holiday emoji:
- 📺
National Streaming Day arrives every May 20, celebrating the revolutionary impact of streaming services on how we consume media. From blockbuster films to binge-worthy series, the options are endless. Grab your favorite snacks, settle onto the couch, and explore new worlds or revisit beloved stories.
Want to sponsor National Streaming Day? Learn how
Expected National Streaming Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Streaming Day often brings enticing offers from major platforms and tech retailers. Look for special discounts on subscriptions from services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, or bundled deals on smart TVs and streaming devices from brands like Roku and Amazon. Many food delivery services, such as DoorDash and Grubhub, may also offer promotions to complement your viewing experience. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 20 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Streaming Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalStreamingDay. Share your top five must-watch shows or a quick review of a new release.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalStreamingDay. Post a photo of your cozy streaming setup or a screenshot of your favorite movie scene.
YouTube
Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Create a video ranking your favorite streaming services or offering recommendations for the day.
National Streaming Day Hero
Reed Hastings
History of National Streaming Day
Contrary to popular belief, streaming services are not 21st-century products. The power of the internet stream broadcast started on September 5, 1995, when E.S.P.N. streamed a live radio broadcast of a baseball match between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners. Thousands of subscribers worldwide tuned in via high-end technology that was developed by a Seattle-based company called Progressive Networks. Of course, none of the broadcast hosts or the subscribers had a clue that this would be a baby step of an entire streaming revolution that would involve movies and T.V. shows. However, that was a sign of a lucrative possibility.
By the mid-2000s, there was an increase in the content demand from large audiences during the rise of H.T.T.P.-based adaptive streaming and content delivery networks (C.D.N.). On February 14, 2005, YouTube was founded by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim, which gave people access to long-format videos, news, and entertainment. It became well-known to the public by December 2005 — and the world of streaming has never been the same again.
In particular, 2008 was a pivotal year for streaming as Microsoft launched Smooth Streaming and Netflix introduced Watch Instantly. Around this time, Hulu also introduced its private beta site — the N.B.C. was one of its first content providers.
But the streaming industry as we know it today didn’t take off until Netflix produced original content in 2013. T.V. shows like “Orange Is the New Black,” “House of Cards,” and “Masters of None” pioneered the landscape of original series made for streaming services. Movies soon followed to become popular content for streaming services. Since then, the entertainment industry has never looked back and has invested more time, money, and manpower in streaming platforms as a primary media of entertainment.
National Streaming Day timeline
A baseball match between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners is live-streamed by E.S.P.N. to a thousand subscribers.
Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim launch YouTube.
Hulu, Microsoft, and Netflix all launch their streaming beta platforms.
Netflix pioneers original T.V. series as streaming content.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Streaming Day
Local businesses can tap into National Streaming Day by creating themed promotions. Restaurants might offer ‘binge-watching bundles’ for takeout, while electronic stores could highlight deals on smart TVs or sound systems. Coffee shops could host a ‘stream-and-chill’ event with comfortable seating and Wi-Fi, encouraging patrons to enjoy their favorite shows. Promote these offers on social media using #NationalStreamingDay to reach a wider audience.
National Streaming Day FAQs
When is National Streaming Day?
In 2027, National Streaming Day falls on Thursday, May 20. This annual observance is a great opportunity to explore new content and enjoy the convenience of on-demand entertainment.
How many people use streaming services?
By 2027, projections indicate that streaming service penetration will reach even higher levels, with an increasing number of households opting for multiple subscriptions. This reflects the ongoing shift away from traditional linear television.
How much time do people spend streaming?
Expect the total time spent streaming to remain robust in 2027, as new content and diverse platforms continue to capture viewer attention. The convenience and variety offered by streaming services make them a primary source of entertainment.
Who invented streaming?
The evolution of streaming is a collective effort, building on decades of technological advancements in data compression and internet infrastructure. Key figures and companies from the late 20th and early 21st centuries contributed to its widespread adoption.
National Streaming Day Activities
Netflix and chill
Invite your friends over for a Friday night of movies and drinks. Select your favorite films and T.V. shows on Netflix, grab a bucket of popcorn, and enjoy an enjoyable night!
Make a watchlist
If you’ve been busy working, maybe it’s time to create a watchlist for you to binge on the weekend. Start by browsing through available movies and T.V. shows on different streaming platforms and see which ones you wanted to watch.
Subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, or Apple T.V.+
The truth is these streaming platforms produce excellent quality content. Subscribe and support these streaming companies so they can continuously create high-quality T.V. shows and movies for us to enjoy!
5 Interesting Facts About Streaming Platforms
First streaming film to win ‘Best Picture’
Apple T.V.+’s “CODA” is the first streaming film to win the Oscar for ‘Best Picture.’
The most number of subscribers
Netflix is currently the most subscribed streaming platform with over 221.6 million subscribers.
Netflix D.V.D.s
Netflix used to offer D.V.D.-by-mail services to its subscribers.
YouTube’s active users
As of 2022, YouTube currently has two billion active users.
The Disney+ investment
In 2022, Disney+ spent about $33 billion on producing content.
Why We Love National Streaming Day
It’s a cinema at home
Who doesn’t love watching movies in the comfort of your own home? Streaming services give us the luxury of high-quality films right in our living room.
We love T.V, shows, and movies
Watching movies and T.V. shows is the perfect way to cap off a stressful week. National Streaming Day gives us the perfect excuse to binge-watch excellent content.
It’s a great way to hang out with friends
Grab a drink and a slice of pizza, sit back, and relax. Hanging out with friends is even cozier with streaming. It’s the best way to laugh, cry, and get scared altogether while watching your favorite movies or T.V. shows.
Social Media Tips for National Streaming Day
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