4 ms·

Here is an idea for the taking: bypass big-studio production, theaters, cable & physical media sales/rental, and go direct to streaming video rentals, e.g. to A

Here is an idea for the taking: bypass big-studio production, theaters, cable & physical media sales/rental, and go direct to streaming video rentals, e.g. to Amazon or Netflix, or set up your own streaming infrastructure. This business model is disruptive by capping allowed production budgets and greatly reducing distribution expenses. Produce content digitally. Have subscribers pay a recurring fee to genre-oriented channels like TV but implemented as streaming rentals only. IP is protected similar to existing streaming content. Avoid content production competition from Netflix or Amazon by genre focus, e.g. just military sci fi, or youth romance. Non-broadcast, video on demand can be also targeted at adult audiences - imagine something like the original content HBO produces but with direct-to-consumer streaming video bypassing cable. Exit by selling startup to Amazon, Netflix, Google (YouTube), etc.

mattmiller 15y ago
There are not enough players in the streaming industry to negotiate. If you lose one you will not be able to make enough money from the other 2. They know this and will be able to low ball you. They also pay a flat fee up front based on how much demand you can prove for your product. Small studios cannot prove demand very well. You would be better off going straight to the physical distributors like RedBox and selling the rights to Netflix once you can show some demand for the product. Or, you could set up your own streaming site that lets users view the pilot for free. If they like it that can preorder the first season. With enough demand you can afford to sign that show.
- SlipperySlope 15y ago
  Agreed. Your last point is what I had in mind. The startup sets up its own non-Hollywood streaming video infrastructure, reusing existing services in its software stack when reasonably priced - or for scale. It creates its own customer service back end, and uses HTML 5 for content delivery.
newchimedes 15y ago
This has already been done in the adult industry. You have sites like aebn, clips4sale, etc which allow people to independently product and sell their content. However, piracy is still an issue...and the fact that people don't want to pay for this content as much anymore. As pg stated the goal, while easier said than done, is coming up with a model that is more entertaining than what's currently out there that people don't mind spending money on.

mattmiller 15y ago

There are not enough players in the streaming industry to negotiate. If you lose one you will not be able to make enough money from the other 2. They know this and will be able to low ball you. They also pay a flat fee up front based on how much demand you can prove for your product. Small studios cannot prove demand very well. You would be better off going straight to the physical distributors like RedBox and selling the rights to Netflix once you can show some demand for the product. Or, you could set up your own streaming site that lets users view the pilot for free. If they like it that can preorder the first season. With enough demand you can afford to sign that show.

SlipperySlope 15y ago
Agreed. Your last point is what I had in mind. The startup sets up its own non-Hollywood streaming video infrastructure, reusing existing services in its software stack when reasonably priced - or for scale. It creates its own customer service back end, and uses HTML 5 for content delivery.

newchimedes 15y ago

This has already been done in the adult industry. You have sites like aebn, clips4sale, etc which allow people to independently product and sell their content. However, piracy is still an issue...and the fact that people don't want to pay for this content as much anymore. As pg stated the goal, while easier said than done, is coming up with a model that is more entertaining than what's currently out there that people don't mind spending money on.