Welcome to Subscriptions Weekly! Thrilled to bring you the latest in the subscription industry for 2025. The year is already packed with innovation and growth. Here are this week’s top stories making headlines:

  • Perlego’s Rapid Growth

  • India's SVOD Market Expansion

  • Microsoft and Google Reshape Subscription Models with AI

  • eDreams ODIGEO's Prime: A Testament to Subscription Growth in Travel

  • Apple TV+: Pushing Subscription Innovation and Accessibility

Perlego’s Rapid Growth

Perlego, known as the "Spotify for textbooks," is revolutionizing digital learning. Offering a subscription-based library of textbooks and educational materials, Perlego reported remarkable sales of £13.1 million in 2024, achieving an impressive 96.45% annual growth over three years. The platform’s success reflects the rising demand for accessible, affordable digital learning solutions, especially among students and professionals.

Why it matters: This milestone underscores the potential of digital-first subscription models in education. Perlego’s focus on accessibility and affordability positions it to tap into even broader markets in 2025. Learn more about Perlego’s success here.

India's SVOD Market Expansion

India’s Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with subscriptions projected to reach 125 million in 2025. Key drivers include:

• Industry consolidation, creating fewer but stronger platforms. • Efforts to capture smaller-town audiences with localized content. • Cricket’s migration behind paywalls, a strategic shift monetizing premium sports content.

Why it matters: Regional content and strategic monetization are driving unprecedented growth in the SVOD market. This demonstrates the importance of localization and exclusive offerings in capturing a diverse consumer base. Dive deeper into India’s SVOD evolution here.

Microsoft and Google Reshape Subscription Models with AI

Tech giants Microsoft and Google are setting new standards in SaaS subscriptions by embedding cutting-edge AI features into their services:

  • Google Workspace: Introduced Gemini Business AI, leading to a 17% price increase while mandating AI functionality for all users. Read more here 

  • Microsoft 365: Added Copilot Pro AI, accompanied by a 43% price hike. A temporary opt-out option was offered to soften the transition. Read more about these AI-driven updates here.

Why it matters: These enhancements highlight the growing emphasis on value-driven features in subscription models. By integrating AI capabilities, companies like Microsoft and Google are raising customer expectations while addressing the infrastructure costs of advanced technology.

eDreams ODIGEO's Prime: A Testament to Subscription Growth in Travel

eDreams ODIGEO’s Prime subscription reaching over 6 million members by mid-2024 exemplifies the growing adoption of subscription models in the travel sector. Since its launch in 2017, Prime has evolved from offering flight discounts to incorporating hotel bookings, enabling members to save an average of €250 per trip.

Why it matters: eDreams ODIGEO illustrates the power of subscription services to drive customer loyalty and revenue growth by offering convenience and significant savings, particularly in a competitive travel industry. Explore how Prime is redefining travel here.

Apple TV+: Pushing Subscription Innovation and Accessibility

Apple TV+ continues to innovate in the subscription streaming space, leveraging partnerships and promotional strategies to attract and retain subscribers. By becoming available as an add-on subscription through Amazon Prime Video, Apple is tapping into a broader audience. Its free weekend promotion in January 2025 demonstrates its commitment to increasing global awareness.

Why it matters: Apple TV+ shows how strategic accessibility and cross-platform integration can amplify user acquisition and retention. These efforts are key in an increasingly competitive subscription market.

Learn more about Apple TV+ innovations here.

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  • Benchmarks on acquisition, churn, and retention across 2,200 brands and over 67 million subscribers.

  • In-depth payment segmentation insights to drive actionable campaigns.

  • Vertical-specific snapshots to assess your industry’s performance.

  • Trial period strategies, add-on revenue insights, and advanced tech trends for 2025.

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