In this series of posts from Reportlinker, we review the latest TV biz news, with one big statistic per news item. All you need to know!
The streaming industry is still young. There is room in the market for services such as Netflix, Hulu, and others to expand. Grow and adapt is exactly what content streaming services did during the latter part of 2016, offering new ways for customers to enjoy content in 2017. Let’s look at the numbers:
$3: The monthly fee for the first six months for a subscription to Amazon’s Prime Video. The streaming service was previously only available to Amazon Prime members. Prime Video is available in 200 countries and territories. Members of the stand-alone service will have access to Amazon’s original programming and English language films, some dubbed into other languages. With the service, that was announced in May, Amazon has set itself up as a serious Netflix competitor. The introductory price increases to $6 monthly after the first months. Source: engadget
8.0 and 4.4.2: The versions of iOS and Android needed for users to download content on Netflix’s app. Downloading allows users to watch video while offline. Netflix members had requested this service so they can view programming where internet service is limited. However, not all series or movies will be available for download. But competition, not customer demand, might be the real reason for the download option. The ability to download content for offline view is also available to users of Amazon Prime Video, Starz’s mobile app and YouTube Red. Source: Variety
110 million: The number of subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) users in the US, a market worth $8 billion. Britain’s BBC Worldwide and ITV have partnered to launch a new SVOD service called BritBox, in the hopes of tapping into this audience. The service will feature British programming previously unreleased in the US, as well as sitcoms and movies familiar to Americans. The service will be available during the first quarter of 2017. “The BBC and ITV each have a long history of creating spectacular premium content, and some of the most iconic shows on television,” AMC Networks, an investor in BritBox, said. Source: ITV
$1,200: The average cost per episode to describe content, a service that’s necessary for TellMe TV. The video-on-demand service is designed for the visually impaired. The action is described to users. Currently, the service features 150 films and television shows. It was founded by Kevin Shaw, who is visually impaired. He also made the play button easy for the blind to find. The service is available in Canada for $6.99 a month. Its motto is “They kiss; we tell”. Source: The Chronical Herald
2 million: The number of Twitch ‘creators’, or users actively broadcasting content on the video platform. The company, acquired by Amazon in 2014, is aimed at gamers. It recently launched a IRL – in real life – category on its website, in the hopes of encouraging members to become vloggers and broadcast their lives. Next year, the service also will offer live streaming. The new services set up Twitch to compete directly with YouTube, which recently launched a gaming website and app. Source: Variety
Top photo: twitch.tv
