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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1451520
You save a fantastic $5/mo. compared to HBO Max, but it’s worth it! Right? Don’t worry…the price will go up! Now networks really offer something for everyone – day/time, any screen and any time, free of ads or at a modest ad fee – options. The ads? The networks are sweetening the offer for the streaming viewer with lighter ad loads. The 20 minutes of ads in an hour’s linear “program” slot will come down to 4 to 10 minutes of ads/hour. Now that the entire content delivery system is digital; advertisers can also more precisely target the ads, capture more precise viewer data, make ads interactive and deliver less intrusive creative (assuming lawyer, car and insurance ads really can be less intrusive). The networks will develop more metrics/mechanics/programmatic ad activity as they transition from being solely media to tech/media companies. Studios and networks everywhere are walking the fine line between filling the theatrical pipeline and feeding their streaming services that compete with Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and everyone around the globe interested in capturing more subscribers at home. It's a good thing the spigot was turned back on for project production because some old content should never see the light of day again. Studios, networks and streamers are all pushing to fill their lineups with a broad array of new scripted/unscripted visual stories in every genre possible. Getting the streaming services launched and loaded up with new/old expensive films/shows that will attract people is no walk in the park. Hastings and the Netflix crew know--they’ve been at it since 2007. It took time, money and governmental negotiations to reach 210+ M plus subscribers around the globe (except mainland China, Iran, Syria, North Korea). Bezos and Amazon launched Amazon Video (the precursor to Amazon Prime Video) in 2012 but that was just to make their subscription membership for ecommerce, books, music, games, you name it. It wasn’t until 2016 that the company saw that content production/distribution could be a real business, and Bezos wanted a statuette for his bookshelf. On the heels of Netflix, Amazon began investing in new projects around the globe and expanding entertainment options to more than 200M global subscribers. Early on, the two learned the fundamentals of the industry that studios have known for years. Producing a lot of content for local consumption in other countries is a benefit, not a limitation because: - production is less expensive in other countries - crew talent is good around the globe - good video stories don’t have border limitations With Hollywood no longer the dominant international video story force and the global market growing; networks, studios and streamers have increased their production activities around the globe.