Hacking Distribution: FAST + AVOD
MIPCOM take-away #1
Yesterday I talked about the lead up to AFM and teased a few MIPCOM insights I took away from my trip last week. I wanted to drill down on one of my take-away’s as it’s very timely to both AFM and MIPCOM.
The Path To AVOD + FAST Is On Fire
One thing I learned about these new distribution channels is that there’s finally a place to exploit second window distribution rights, older films and docs, and catalogue titles. There’s even an option to re-package short digital content for distribution beyond just social channels.
I often get emails about distribution consulting for films that are 3 or more years old and sadly, I’m unable to help place these films since most distributors and sales agents turn their nose up on anything over a year old.
However in all my meetings at MIPCOM some of those same distributors, now proud owners of their own FAST and AVOD networks or tie-ups, are eagerly acquiring films to supply their growing pipelines.
FAST and AVOD are even to blame for many of the series cancellations from Studios. Check out this piece from the LA Times that explains the economics of removing shows from streaming platforms and their futures on ad-supported platforms (ouch!).
From where I’m sitting, I see two ways to take advantage of these opportunities….
First - I finally feel there’s a reliable revenue model for independently produced series. I’m working on a couple of these now with clients and it’s exciting that there’s all this new distribution and profit potential where there used to be a gaping hole, especially when you extend the timeline out 2-3 years.
Second - I’m taking all the catalogue titles and older films in my orbit and working on getting those placed across the ad-supported spectrum. It’s nice to be able to leverage those assets for new revenue opportunities that didn’t exist a year ago.
To be clear, this is not a gold rush….yet. Revenues are smaller than what you might be used to from more traditional distribution platforms, but it’s growing. So why not get in now and ride the wave up….
What about you? How are you leveraging FAST and AVOD opportunities or what questions do you have? Let me know in the comments below….
And if you need help with your own strategy around all this, hit me up at stacey@filmspecific.com and let me know what titles you’re sitting on, or digital content that can be repackaged, for global distribution across these new networks.
On that note, I’ll wrap things up for today. I hope you have a lovely weekend again and speak to you again soon!
Stacey
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Stacey - very good article and yes that discussion to which you linked from the LA Times was also well done