Streaming, gaming, and short-form video have taken the lead in how Australians spend their free time, pushing traditional leisure activities further to the side.
Daily screen time now averages over six hours, and platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok are pulling people away from cinemas, live events, and even sport.
The shift runs deep and has redefined where attention goes, what holds it, and how people choose to unwind.
The real estate of attention
Steam and Epic Games continue to shape how Australians approach digital downtime—what used to be a solo screen activity has shifted into something more social, competitive, and reward-powered.
It’s no surprise that platforms built around digital engagement are now influencing how people think about entertainment and value, especially when games come with built-in incentives and real-world stakes.
For those curious about where this mix of strategy and reward is heading next, industry expert Viola D’Elia explores it in detail on the official Esports Insider website, offering a deeper look into the platforms pushing the limits, where you’ll find thousands of games, significant bonuses, and enhanced privacy features.
While competitive play and rewarding platforms continue to shape how people engage with digital content, a parallel shift is happening in how Australians consume video, with streaming services now filling the same role traditional TV once held, only faster, more personalised, and entirely on demand.
Streaming is the real channel now
With streaming platforms now used by over 90% of Australians, digital viewing has clearly pulled ahead of traditional TV. In 2024, free-to-air viewership dropped below half the population for the first time, while services like Netflix, Stan, and Prime Video became the go-to choice in most households.
People are watching more, but not in the ways they used to. Smart TVs, mobile devices, and personalised algorithms have made streaming part of the daily routine, replacing fixed schedules with constant availability.
Subscription platforms now dominate long-form viewing in Australia, steadily pulling audiences away from traditional broadcasters who are finding it increasingly difficult to hold the attention of younger viewers.
Where the scroll never stops
Social media has become one of the main ways Australians pass time online, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube offering a constant stream of short, personalised content. What used to be about staying connected is now just as much about being entertained — whether by creators, trends, or the algorithm itself.
With Australians spending close to two hours a day on social media and checking their phones dozens of times throughout, these platforms have slowly replaced the moments that once belonged to reading, hobbies, or even simple downtime.
As attention is pulled into shorter, faster content cycles, traditional leisure activities are being quietly edged out.
Screens over social spaces
With rising engagement across platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, where users now consume video content in fragmented but frequent bursts, traditional leisure activities that once relied on longer attention spans are seeing steady declines across every age group.
Attendance at live events, visits to cinemas, and participation in outdoor recreation have all seen steady drops among younger age groups. National time-use data shows that much of what used to be reserved for offline hobbies is now taken up by screens, especially streaming, gaming, and social media.
The shift reflects more than changing tastes. As digital habits become part of everyday life, traditional leisure now competes with content that is always available, easily personalised, and designed to keep people engaged.
For venues and industries built around physical attendance, the result has been fewer visits, shorter stays, and a clear need to adapt to a new pace of attention.
Entertainment as economic engine
The global media and entertainment market hit $32.2 billion in 2025, as growing demand for streaming, gaming, and subscription-based content pushed video game revenue close to $3 billion and drove a 31% surge in platform subscriptions.
The growth of these platforms has opened up more jobs, but many of them look very different from classic employment. Roles in content production, moderation, and digital strategy are increasing, but a large share of that work is freelance or tied to platforms, with no fixed hours, no paid leave, and no job security.
In that environment, creators carry much of the risk but few of the protections. With earnings shaped by shifting algorithms and platform rules, the gap between visibility and financial security remains wide.
The industry may be expanding, but the question now is whether it can support the people keeping it alive.
Future outlook
The next phase of digital entertainment in Australia will go well beyond passive consumption. Technologies like virtual and augmented reality are gaining real ground, with local players such as Zero Latency building immersive multiplayer environments.
Industry forecasts estimate the AR/VR market will exceed $382 billion by 2031 worldwide, as immersive technology moves closer to everyday use and starts to reshape how people interact with digital content across different settings.
This shift is already changing how people use their time and what they expect from entertainment. As platforms lean more on automation to decide what gets seen, traditional sectors are falling further behind.
The pace isn’t slowing, and the real risk now is becoming invisible in a system built to reward what moves fastest.
