As the sun sets on 2025, the D2C subscription landscape looks vastly different from what it did just twelve months ago. It was a year defined by rapid consolidation, shifting viewer habits, and the undeniable acceleration of the AI revolution.
For subscription businesses, the challenge wasn't just to keep up, but to find new ways to thrive in a market that demanded agility. At Cleeng, we embraced this era of transformation head-on. We didn't just adapt to the changes; we leveraged them to reshape our organization and deliver more value to our clients than ever before.
In a recent end-of-year message, Cleeng CEO Gilles Domartini shared his reflections on our 2025 milestones and unveiled our strategic focus for 2026. Watch the full video below:
This past year was a testament to the power of bold decision-making. By restructuring our approach and doubling down on innovation, we turned industry-wide challenges into significant opportunities for growth.
Here is a closer look at the key milestones that defined our 2025:
One of our proudest achievements was the launch of Cleeng Pro. In an industry where speed to market can be the difference between success and stagnation, we shattered expectations. The Cleeng Pro offering allows clients to set up a fully functional subscription service in under one hour.
This streamlined onboarding process is unique in the industry, removing technical barriers and allowing broadcasters to focus on what matters most: their content and their audience.
2025 was the year AI moved from buzzword to business-critical. We integrated the Cleeng AI Assistant to empower our clients with tools to boost subscription growth.
Furthermore, we enhanced ChurnIQ with advanced smart and predictive churn analytics. By leveraging generative reporting, our clients can now access deeper, actionable insights faster than ever, allowing them to proactively manage subscriber retention and lifetime value.
Our commitment to innovation resonated with major players across the globe. We were thrilled to welcome prestigious new clients to the Cleeng family, including ATP Media and OneFootball.
We also saw incredible growth from our existing clients. VBTV became the official global streaming partner for Pro Volleyball Federation, TOD saw a 168% spike in viewing minutes on Smart TV, and Newsmax’s subscription revenue remained steady at $6.9 million year-over-year, thanks to an increase in Newsmax+ subscribers. While Tennis Channel launched its new Pickleball TV, Big Ten Network averaged 699,000 viewers this season for its second-best season ever, behind only 2018.
These partnerships and growth milestones highlight not only the strength of our vision and the reliability of our technology but also the incredible achievements and growth driven by the dedication and innovation of our clients.
Following a major client transition, we implemented several strategic shifts that yielded tangible financial results. In just nine months, we not only returned to profitability but also achieved 25% Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) growth. This financial health provides a solid foundation for continued investment in our product and team.
As we move into 2026, our path is clear. We are focusing our energy on three strategic pillars designed to drive value for our clients and expand our reach.
We are committed to making our solutions the easiest to use and fastest to deploy in the market. Our goal is to ensure that onboarding remains straightforward and intuitive.
By integrating with cutting-edge services like Claude Code and Lovable, we are setting a new standard for usability. We want every interaction with the Cleeng platform to be seamless, ensuring your subscription service is ready for launch within 60 minutes.
The AI revolution is just beginning. In 2026, we will develop even more intelligent tools to drive client growth. Our focus will be on providing easier access to relevant insights and increasing actionability through generative reporting and campaigns.
We aim to move beyond simple data presentation to offer prescriptive analytics – telling you not just what happened, but exactly what steps to take next to maximize revenue.
While we continue to serve the media and sports industries, we see immense potential in other verticals. We are actively expanding our reach to support clients in:
Automotive: In-car entertainment and subscription features.
Fitness and wellness: Digital health subscriptions and coaching platforms.
Gaming: Subscription-based gaming services.
None of this would be possible without the talent and dedication of our incredible team. To the Cleeng Tribe who work tirelessly to innovate and support our customers: thank you!
We also extend our deepest gratitude to our clients and partners. Your trust fuels our innovation, and your success is our success. As we step into 2026, we are more energized than ever to help you build, manage, and grow your subscription businesses.
Let’s make 2026 a landmark year together.
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