The Hollywood Reporter’s Post

Entertainment is shifting and we have to be ready to adapt. As a talent manager, this infographic excites me. As a playwright, it deflates a bit. On either end of the spectrum, we have to challenge ourselves to be better storytellers and continue to ask questions of our audiences #storytelling #marketing #streamingmedia

I Will Survive « Who Will Survive? How many streaming services will consumers support? That was one of the great mysteries of the nascent streaming world, and the answer is coming into focus: not very many. “Can your current business be a successful player and have long-term wealth generation, or are you going to be roadkill?” Mr. Malone mused. “I think all the small players will have to shrink down or go away.” A recent Deloitte study found that American households paid an average of $61 a month for four streaming services, but that many didn’t think the expense was worth it. That suggests the once-unthinkable possibility, many of the executives said, that there will be only three or four streaming survivors: Netflix and Amazon, almost certainly. Probably some combination of Disney and Hulu. Apple remains a niche participant, but appears to be feeling its way into a long-term, albeit money-losing, presence, which it can afford to do. That leaves big question marks over Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, and Paramount+. »

I'll admit it. I subscribe to Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Hulu, Apple, Peacock, Max, and Paramount+. But the average American subscribes to 4 streaming services at an average of $61/month. Which is still a lot! There is a true streaming war, as these players fight for our attention. To survive, players will need at least 200 million subscribers (something only Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ combined with Hulu have done) They will need to spend $50M for blockbuster hits, over and over. And they will need sports, which both attract new subscribers, and retain (at least for the duration of the season) subscribers who want to watch their teams live. There's not a lot of room for price increases, especially after the recent round--so many are looking at ad revenue as a source of growth. According to this excellent article, which anyone interested in streaming should read, the rise of ads may lead streaming services to provide lower prestige, popular content (think police procedurals and hospital dramas) mixed with some big sports events. Sounds like what we used to have with Cable. 📝 James Stewart, Benjamin Mullin #litrendingtopics #streamingwars #subscriptions

Viewing hours for #streaming companies continued to surge in 2023, with a 21% increase in the US compared to the previous year, with the re-released series Suits gaining the most eyeball-hours, followed by Australian cartoon dog Bluey. Shows from Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) shows dominated the top-10, well ahead of The Walt Disney Company's (NYSE:DIS) Disney+, Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) Apple TV and Amazon's (NASDAQ:AMZN) Prime Video. Legal drama Suits, which starred an actress called Megan Markle and originally aired in the USA from 2011-2019, topped the streaming charts with a record-breaking 57.7 billion minutes watched on Netflix after a licensing deal with the streaming giant. Helping it surpass the 2020 record set by the US version of The Office starring Steve Carell, was a prominent algorithm placement by Netflix. More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors #NASDAQ #NFLX http://ow.ly/UCng105eqhQ

The future of streaming is posing challenges for mid-level platforms as they strive for profitability in a competitive landscape. With experts suggesting a subscriber base of 200 million for financial success, only three exceed this threshold, notably Netflix. This raises the question: What strategies will others adopt to thrive? Bundles and licensing appear to be the primary solutions. I respect the hybrid approach #AMC is bringing to it, licensing to competitors like #Max and #Netflix. They've shown through recent experience (admittedly limited) that this strategy can highlight their content and drive subscriptions to AMC+. Is there a different future for the niche market and mid-level apps?

Who is Netflix's Biggest Competitor—Amazon Prime, Hotstar, or Jio Cinema? Surprisingly, it’s YouTube! 📺 With 10% of total watch hours, YouTube has outpaced Netflix’s 7.9% in the U.S. for a year straight. Though YouTube supports Netflix with trailers and behind-the-scenes content, both platforms are battling for our attention. With only 24 hours in a day, every minute counts ⏰. What are you having with dinner tonight? 🍽 MKBHD’s new but familiar tech reviews or daring to dive into an unfamiliar Netflix series? As YouTube creators churn out Netflix-like content, Netflix is countering with shorter, snackable shows. The competition is heating up 🔥, and the lines between these platforms are getting fuzzier. So, what’s your pick—#YouTubeAndChill or a Netflix binge? 🍿 #Streaming #YouTube #Netflix

After being widely considered the winner of the streaming wars, there were some questions as to what extent Netflix’s industry dominance would continue. bit.ly/3A0sEeU Instead, it has impressed investors with another quarter that highlighted its ability to add new subscribers in a saturated market, while growing revenues and expanding margins. Netflix reported 27% margins for the quarter, a five percentage point increase compared to the second quarter of 2023. A paid subscriber base inching closer to 300 million globally, a crackdown on password sharing, the launch of an ad-supported tier and live events like The Roast of Tom Brady all drove results. Netflix also drove significant numbers of new subscribers through its ad-supported tier, first launched in 2022. Read more: bit.ly/3A0sEeU

Good article, but the folly continues. As I wrote two years ago, updating prior posts: The Great (Streaming) War of Stupid Value Propositions -- Continued! ...the value proposition for flat-rate all-you-can-eat streaming sucks. ...They continue making an offer that is quickly refused or cancelled, to a finite number of streamers who want a full range of viewing, but with limited wallet to share among competing offerings -- thus satisfying few. This is not a problem of user behavior, or of competition, but of collective industry blindness to a failed pricing model. Few want all they can eat! We can't eat that much! We want only what we want, and don't want to pay for more. Instead, all streamers and consumers could share a much larger pie, with much higher shared value all around. Experiment with more win-win value propositions -- set a fair, bundled (volume discounted) price -- for however much or little we want each month. Offer a fair value proposition so we can subscribe, stay, and watch as we like -- not pay a flat rate every month even when we get no value at all. https://lnkd.in/eD4wfx45

The streaming business model is under scrutiny as media executives acknowledge its sustainability challenges. While legacy companies like Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney grapple with financial losses, Netflix and Amazon stand out as success stories in the industry. The focus remains on traditional TV strategies such as bundling, licensing, live sports, and ad-supported tiers to retain subscribers and drive profitability. What are your thoughts on the future of streaming? (https://lnkd.in/g-qjEnVQ)

🌟Billboard wisdom from Netflix: "Don't give up on your dreams. We started with DVDs." This simple yet profound message resonates with its relatable struggle, inspiring us to pursue our dreams no matter how humble they may begin. Netflix's journey from DVDs to a global streaming giant serves as a beacon of hope, showcasing that with dedication, even the loftiest dreams can become a reality. It's more than a billboard; it's a reminder that every journey, no matter how challenging, holds the potential for success. #netflix #creativeadvertising #marketing #branding #oohadvertising