Brandwave

Netflix vs Sky:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Netflix had more branded searches than Sky among TV and streaming services in New Zealand. Netflix had about 246,000 branded searches, while Sky had 120,000. Netflix made up 25.4% of all TV and streaming service searches we track, and Sky accounted for 12.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about TV and streaming services, Netflix appeared in all five answers and Sky in four. Netflix was mentioned before Sky in every answer.

Among TV and streaming services in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Netflix, about 2 searches for every 1 for Sky

Netflix 246K searchesSky 120K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Netflix, mentioned in every answer we collected

Netflix in 5 of 5Sky in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Netflix, named ahead of Sky in every answer

Netflix first in 5Sky never first

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Top TV and streaming services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Netflix appeared in all five answers. Sky was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Netflix was listed before Sky in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Netflix1st
  2. Prime Video2nd
  3. HBO Max3rd
  4. Disney+4th
  5. TVNZ+5th
  6. Apple TV6th
  7. Neon7th
  8. Sky8th
  9. ThreeNow9th
  10. Sky Sport Now10th
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • TVNZ+5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Netflix5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Prime Video5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Neon5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sky4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Disney+4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple TV4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • ThreeNow4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • HBO Max4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sky Sport Now3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about TV and streaming services

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is Netflix or Sky more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Netflix and Sky by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 TV and streaming services we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Netflix and Sky among TV and streaming services in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Netflix, Sky. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthTVNZ+NetflixSkyDisney+Sky Sport NowPrime VideoApple TVThreeNowHBO MaxMāori+Neon
Oct 202527.5%29.1%12.3%9.8%7.2%5.8%3.2%2.8%0.28%1.5%0.48%
Nov 202529.5%25.4%12.5%9.3%6.3%5.1%3.4%3.7%0.37%3.9%0.43%
Dec 202530.4%31%9.9%10.4%3.5%6.2%3.4%3%0.45%1%0.65%
Jan 202629.1%30.4%10.9%10.2%4.2%6.1%2.7%3.6%0.44%1.7%0.61%
Feb 202627.5%25.9%14.4%8.7%6.5%5.2%2.3%5.6%0.46%2.7%0.62%
Mar 202625.5%29%12.5%9.5%6.1%4.8%2.1%5%0.42%4.5%0.57%
Apr 202631.5%23.7%11%9.5%7.4%5.8%2.6%4.2%0.63%3%0.7%
May 202630.6%23.2%12.4%9.4%7.7%7%2.6%2.8%0.51%3%0.85%
Jun 202648.5%16.1%8.8%6.5%6.4%4.8%1.8%1.9%2.6%2%0.48%
Jul 202638.6%18.3%10.2%8.2%9.3%4.5%2%2.7%3%2.8%0.37%
Aug 202625.7%23.7%12.1%10.6%10.1%5.8%3.2%3.6%2.6%2.1%0.44%
Sep 202626.5%25.4%12.4%11.4%8.1%6.3%2.8%2.5%2.3%1.9%0.43%

How has the Netflix and Sky comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Netflix was ahead of Sky in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Netflix’s share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand moved from 29.1% to 25.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sky’s share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand moved from 12.3% to 12.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 127K to 120K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand TV and streaming services in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Netflix gained share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand, from 23.7% to 25.4%.

  2. Sky’s share of searches among TV and streaming services in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 8.8% to 12.4% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

11 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Netflix’s and Sky’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Netflix

1 branded search term

  • Netflix

Sky

10 branded search terms

  • Sky
  • sky box
  • sky open
  • sky pod
  • sky sport
  • Sky TV
  • sky tv guide
  • sky tv packages
  • tv guide for sky
  • tv guide on sky

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among TV and streaming services

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