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Cyprus Ranks 20th In EU For Paid Film And Sports Streaming

Cyprus ranked among the European Union’s least active markets for paid film, series and sports streaming services in 2025, according to Eurostat data. Just 26.97% of internet users in Cyprus had paid for such a service during the reference period, compared with 32.68% across the EU.

The figures point to significant differences in digital entertainment spending across European markets, with Cyprus ranking 20th among the bloc’s 27 member states.

Cyprus Remains Below The EU Average

Cyprus ranked ahead of only 10 EU countries: Estonia, Portugal, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia and Bulgaria. The gap was particularly pronounced compared with the bloc’s leading markets.

Ireland recorded the highest share, with 63.94% of internet users paying for film, series or sports streaming services. Denmark followed with 61.11%, while the Netherlands reached 59.23%.

Greece And Malta Also Outpace Cyprus

Cyprus also trailed several nearby and comparable European markets. In Greece, 40.18% of internet users paid for film, series or sports streaming services, while Malta recorded 33.07%.

At the bottom of the EU ranking, Bulgaria had the lowest share at 9.26%. Slovenia followed at 13.69%, with Latvia and Lithuania recording 16.65% and 17.42%, respectively.

Film And Sports Streaming Lead Digital Subscriptions

Paid subscriptions for films, series or sports were the most common of the four digital subscription categories tracked by Eurostat in 2025. Across the EU, 32.7% of internet users paid for these services.

Music streaming ranked second, with 23.0% of users paying for subscriptions. Paid access to online news sites, newspapers or magazines was less common at 7.2%, while gaming streaming services accounted for 6.1%.

Adoption Also Varies Beyond The EU

The differences extend beyond the European Union. Norway recorded a 58.41% share of internet users paying for film, series or sports streaming services, while Switzerland reached 40.97%.

Turkey reported a substantially lower figure of 13.98%. The data cover individuals who had a paid subscription to a film, series or sports streaming service during the previous three months, providing a snapshot of digital entertainment spending across European markets.

AI In Practice Brings Business Leaders Together To Learn, Unlearn And Relearn

AI in Practice: Changing the Future of Business takes place on Monday, 19 October 2026, at the Cultural Center of European University Cyprus in Nicosia, under the auspices of the Chief Scientist of Cyprus, Demetris Skourides.

Organised by Panis.News with co-organisers GrantXpert Consulting and Future Skills Hub at European University Cyprus, the event will bring together founders, SME owners and senior executives to examine practical uses of artificial intelligence.

The evening runs from 18:00 to 22:30. Tickets will be available until 12:00 noon on Monday, 19 October, Cyprus time.

For business leaders, the challenge is deciding where AI can deliver results. The programme will explore how to identify useful applications, prepare teams and connect technology investment with business needs. Demonstrations, case studies and direct questions to speakers will help attendees assess their next steps.

Panis Pieri, Founder of Panis.News, said:

“Business leaders need space to ask questions, challenge assumptions and learn from people applying AI. We created AI in Practice to make that conversation accessible and useful. We want attendees to leave with a clearer idea of what they can do next in their own businesses.”

Dr Celia Hadjichristodoulou, Founder and Managing Director of GrantXpert Consulting and Future Skills Hub, said:

“Working out where AI belongs in your business takes real thought about your customers, your processes and your people.”

AIA.Labs supports the event as the Gold Partner. Its founder, Sotiris Makrygiannis, said:

“In the 70s we learnt how to punch a card to go to work or program a timesharing computing machine, in the 80s the personal PC and office tools, in the 90s the modem and basic internet, in the 2000s mobile internet plus web shopping, and by 2010 the mobile apps. Now it’s time to learn how to practically use AI and that alone is the most disruptive thing an individual can do today. We are happy to sponsor the event because theory needs a practical application.”

The Agenda

– 18:00–18:30: Registration and networking.

– 18:30–18:50: Welcome remarks from Panis Pieri, Dr Celia Hadjichristodoulou and EUC Rector Professor Loizos Symeou.

– 18:50–19:00: Interview with Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides.

– 19:00–19:20: The AI Revolution. Why should you care? by Monica Odysseos, Head of AI and Data Lab of Grant Thornton.

– 19:20–19:40: From Business Pain Points to AI Transformation: A CEO’s Roadmap to Real Results by George Malekkos, CEO of POWERSOFT Computer Solutions & AI-Driven Business Transformation Architect & President of CITEA.

– 19:40–20:20: AI and the Future of Business: Will Your Business Be Here in 2030? by Paris Thomas, Executive Advisor on AI & Strategy, Founder at Rapid Visual / Strapivo

– 20:20–21:00: Questions and answers with the speakers.

– 21:00–22:30: Networking over drinks and bites.

The Challenge

The evening’s programme approaches the challenge from three directions.

Monica Odysseos will begin with a question that deserves a clear answer: why should you care?

Her session will explore how AI is changing the way people work, make decisions and create. Her background spans software development, accounting and applied AI, bringing both technical and business perspectives to the discussion.

George Malekkos will then examine how business problems can become starting points for AI adoption.

Where does your company lose time? Which processes cause delays? Where could you improve the customer experience?

His presentation will look at selecting useful applications, preparing teams and processes, and measuring results. For a business owner deciding where to begin, that connection between a specific problem and a measurable outcome matters.

Paris Thomas will take the discussion further with his keynote, “AI and the Future of Business: Will Your Business Be Here in 2030?”

It is a challenging question. It asks leaders to look beyond today’s workload and consider how their products, services and business models might need to change.

His hour-long session will include live AI demonstrations and enterprise case studies. It will explore how leaders can improve their current business while developing new opportunities and preparing for longer-term change.

The Event

The event will be in English.

The full programme and to book your tickets, visit: https://luma.com/ai-in-practice-cyprus

The organisers thank:

  • Silver Partners Growth Hacking Cyprus, RSEVEN, Mel’s Digital and Makkas Winery.
  • Supporters: Cyprus Computer Society, XValley Tech, Business Society Accelerator, Startup School Cyprus and Carierista.
  • Community Partners: EIT Community Hub Cyprus, CYENS, Women in Tech, Startup Greece, ECECT, CITEA, IET Cyprus and Cyprus_IT

Follow updates about the event on social media at #PanisMeetups

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