Spoilt for choice is what we are!
I'm talking about the surge in growth around streaming networks from Netflix, Amazon Prime, BritBox, and now Disney amongst many others.
As consumer behaviour started the 'unbundling' (cord cutting) of the cable and satellite networks in favour of eating their content in bite size chunks from a variety of providers will we see the same thing happen with the consumer trying to juggle multiple payments and subscriptions along with the confusion around not only the aggregated cost but who owns what along with a better understanding of the ROI?
I'm pretty sure there's a software house out there currently working on an App that helps you monitor usage and value from each of these subscriptions - if not there should be!
It's obvious that the rights and license owners of the content we all want to consume from Movies, TV shows, and Sport need to be able to support the cost.
After all we still pay for Cinema,Theatre, and Match Day tickets so why not?.
But is the subscription model for gated content really sustainable when distribution platforms on social media are educating the consumer to pay for nothing - not even access?
We still see brands and companies who choose to promote the latest 'white paper' on 'how to boil your kettle quicker than ever before' - does this still work today - not the kettle thingy but the 'White Paper'?.
In exchange for access they require your personal info in the form of e-mail, title, number of employees, inside leg measurement and where you went on holiday with Auntie Beryl when you were twelve.
As with the global growth in consumer behaviour adopting take up of free to use social networks around the globe combined with Gen Z arriving into the workplace is it still a viable long term business model to get people to 'pay' for that content.
Is there an alternative? Can we get past this moment of fragmentation to create something that serves everyone’s greater interests? I say yes.
I see a future of home entertainment based on open platforms, open standards, flexibility, choice, combined with continuing to empower the user/viewer.
What if there was a way to get audiences more involved in the content they're consuming, what if this was a fun, interactive and immersive experience and eventually lead to a shared commercial relationship?
There are people out there working on this solution right now and I'm just one of them.
Opportunity?
How big a ‘Star Wars’ & 'Indiana Jones' fan are you?
Here's something that caught my attention and whilst is still in need of fine tuning provides a glimmer of hope for all of those brands and streaming companies wanting to remain 'front of mind', add value, involve the consumer, and NOT be intrusive......
If you want to see how it all started long before 'Episode One' or 'The Temple of Doom', this is one way to get the kids (and you) to find hidden content from a short movie spin off from what is a global movie franchise phenomenon..
Below image credit to simpson33/getty images
Instead, an open technology platform based on standards would allow startups and nimble smaller companies to focus their efforts on solving big problems for the whole industry. That works in software development, and it will work for entertainment.
unknownx500
