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The Million-Dollar Opportunity With AVOD For Film & Documentary Makers


Life as an independent film or documentary maker is challenging enough without the stress of finding the proper distribution channels. However, things are a lot easier nowadays due to the multitude of tools and platforms you can use to reach the target audience. 

Furthermore, new technologies and opportunities pop up in the entertainment industry every day (so to speak). Therefore, the self-distribution step is no longer an issue. And, while it’s true, you can have lots of benefits from signing with one of the big names (think Netflix or HBOMax), there’s also lots of room to make it big on your own. 

And, if you choose the DIY path, we have to talk about AVOD platforms and why they represent a million-dollar opportunity for indie creators. 

What is AVOD?

The rise of VOD (video-on-demand) services and large consumption of video web content has long been predicted, but it still caught many classic entertainment businesses off-guard. But, as more customers shifted to online streaming and VOD, things started to change. Nowadays, you hear about a new streaming platform almost every month. Also, many of the big names have started to partner up in an effort to keep things steady and avoid bleeding out users.

That’s because some big-name streaming services have already started to see a drop in users (check out Netflix’s case) due to an increase in offers and the surfacing of more niched channels. 

Creators can start their own streaming platforms, which is fantastic news for indie film and documentary makers. When you have your own online space, there’s no one else competing for the audience’s attention; your content is in the spotlight. 

But how do you bring people on this platform, and more importantly, how do you convince them to subscribe? If you are not already established within the niche, it can be difficult to stand out and find your audience. 

And this is where AVOD services (ad-supported video-on-demand) come in.

AVOD services create a world where users have unrestricted access to your content, and you (the creator or owner of the platform) get ad revenue to support your efforts. If you’re not a fan of ads, it may sound a bit unsavory, but it’s a business model that works. In fact, even the big guys (such as Netflix or Disney+) use this system in order to retain users and stop losing revenue.

Why Ad-Supported Streaming Works

Users nowadays have access to a wide range of content libraries (ad and/or subscription-based), so they are more careful when selecting their providers. Plus, many people use several content libraries at the same time, so there’s no reason to pay a monthly subscription to all of them. 

Furthermore, the ad experience is improving in an effort to find the middle ground between viewers’ comfort and retailers’ need for exposure. As such, there are OTT platforms that don’t run intrusive ads during episodes, only in between. Also, the ad breaks are limited to a max of 60 seconds. 

While we’re not there yet, both platform owners and retailers want to create a pleasant experience for their customers. The good news is that the current technologies allow such an effort to become reality. 

Wrap Up

AVOD services are a great opportunity for indie creators looking for a way to put their content out there but also get some revenue. It’s also a great way to allow more niched content to shine and help bring original ideas into the world. 

Plus, creators can have their own OTT streaming platforms, which allows them to distance themselves from highly limiting channels of distribution. So, now is a great time to carve a path for your content in the world of streaming and online services! 



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