🔝 Top Three Streaming Trends for 2026 Revealed

Applause has presented its forecast for the development of streaming services in 2026. According to senior consultant Adrian Garcia, three key trends will require strengthened quality control.

1️⃣ Streaming platforms will introduce “intelligent agents” — personal assistants that will use AI to predict and personalize viewing. This will increase engagement but will require extensive testing to ensure reliability.

2️⃣ Extended reality (XR) technologies will become central, particularly in sports. Platforms will partner with manufacturers of VR headsets and AI-powered eyewear to merge streaming, gaming, and analytics. The main challenge will be ensuring smooth, seamless transitions across devices.

3️⃣ AI assistants will become a new target for users attempting to manipulate models, for example to extend subscriptions for free. To prevent financial losses, experts recommend the use of adversarial testing to detect vulnerabilities in agents before deployment.