# Streaming choice overwhelms viewers as search times average 12 minutes

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/hundreds-of-streaming-services-and-nothing-to-watch/
- Published: 2026-11-12T14:00:19+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T14:25:23+00:00
- Original publisher: Ars Technica
- Original article: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/11/hundreds-of-streaming-services-and-nothing-to-watch/
- Topics: Entertainment, TV

## Key points

- Viewers spend an average of 12 minutes searching for something to watch.
- More than half say streaming abundance makes discovery harder.
- 72.3 per cent want a guide across their streaming services.

## Summary

A Nielsen-owned content data company found that many viewers across six countries struggle to choose and locate programmes on streaming services. The survey suggests the problem is not simply a lack of good content: the growing number of services and titles can make discovery difficult, leaving viewers spending longer searching or giving up.

Gracenote surveyed 3,000 adult streaming users in the US, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico and the UK. More than 51 per cent said the abundance of content and services makes it harder to find something to watch, while respondents spent an average of 12 minutes searching; 72.3 per cent wanted one guide covering the services they use. Nearly 52 per cent often did not know where to find a specific sports event, and almost 35 per cent said they watched more free ad-supported services because subscription options felt overwhelming.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.