Second window acquisitions are becoming a key element of content strategies as both global and local platforms seek new ways to extend their libraries. Show Tracker reveals the most active territories for second window acquisitions so far this year.
In the US, AVOD is leading the way. Tubi has hosted five second window premieres so far this year, while Amazon’s free ad-supported tier - previously known as Freevee - has added two more.
Germany is the only market in the top five that includes traditional Free TV buying for their linear channels. Public broadcasters ZDF and ARD have acquired series that originally launched on Studio platforms, including ‘Hacks' (Max) and ‘Extraordinary’ (Disney+). Tele 5, part of Warner Bros. Discovery, has acquired ‘Snowpiercer’ from ITV Studios following its initial release on Netflix outside the US. In addition to this both ARTE and ARD acquired titles solely for release on their BVOD service without a linear premiere.
Australia sees heavy activity from Free TV buyers but focused entirely on these digital only premieres, with ABC iView and SBS on Demand premiering two titles each in the market in 2025. M6 in France has also taken a focus on digital only acquisitions, premiering three titles in the second window - ‘Angela Black’ from All3Media, ‘Becoming Elizabeth’ from Lionsgate and ‘The Capture’ from NBCUniversal.
Netflix continues to use its scale to secure second windows across multiple territories. Titles such as ‘1883’, ‘Halo’, ‘Ghosts’ (All Paramount) and ‘Resident Alien’ (NBCUniversal) have all been added to the service in various markets.
Amazon’s subscription streaming service has focused on the UK, securing both local and broader multi-market deals. The series Knuckles was licensed to multiple platforms, reaching ITVX shortly after its streaming debut. ITV’s BVOD is the most active buyer of second windows, accounting for all BVOD sales in the UK.
Studio-backed streaming platforms also remain active. In Australia, second window acquisitions have supported the launch of Max. In the US, Hulu remains the primary buyer of second windows, while in the UK Disney+ has acquired two A24 series - ‘Dreaming Whilst Black’ and ‘Such Brave Girls’ - following their initial runs on BBC Three.
For distributors, the second window has always represented an opportunity to further maximise value from existing content, with studios increasingly more willing to license their own titles exclusive to their platforms to competitor services. With demand spreading across AVOD, BVOD, alongside traditional second window buyers in Free TV and SVOD, success will hinge on identifying where appetite is strongest and adapting windowing strategies to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse set of buyers.
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