Despite the promising disc sales numbers recently reported (and discussed here), the VOD marketplace segment shows no sign of halting its growth lessening its assumption of an increasing share of the home entertainment ecosystem. For studios and major distributors, this has a direct effect on the bottom line, with fewer discs being sold and/or rented as consumer behavior changes. And fewer discs means the loss of what had been a significant stream of corporate revenue.
To compensate, studios are striving to find ways to replace declining disc-based home entertainment revenue with new sources, and Video-on-demand (VOD) licensing deals are proving to be a promising area. Bloomberg examined this trend in a recent article:
“The post-theatrical release market has grown from selling movies for late-night showings on three TV networks to providing content to over 200 cable, satellite, and Net services. Wary of following the music industry, which failed to see the threat of Net piracy and the downside of relying only on Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iTunes for a la carte sales, Hollywood is looking for ways to embrace new business models without being tied to a single distribution outlet…”
Interestingly, as VOD battles with disc-based media for home entertainment supremacy, it may also be supplanting another, older disruptor of the home entertainment business, the venerable DVR.
While discs have a clear value proposition to consumers, namely an advantage in quality, appeal to collectors and permanency, the DVR doesn’t enjoy these. That could be a problem. Why worry about managing a DVR queue, broadcast schedules and season passes or maintenance when an infinite queue of television and movies could be available via VOD? It’ll all come down to access and as broadband becomes ubiquitous and internet speeds improve, I’ll be more and more viewers may opt with television when they want it, how they want it and where they want it. VOD seems to have a bright future.
My family tends to stream more than we rent or buy, but we also tend to DVR a number of shows for later digesting and ‘fast forward’ viewing.
Other businesses and market segments are getting into the act. The major theater chains are also considering VOD solutions, looking to a future when public exhibition has been negatively impacted by VOD and are working on creating their own solutions to protect their businesses.
Bismark Lepe, founder and president of products for video technology firm Ooyala, [said] his firm is currently working to power solutions being developed by two of the four chains, while the other two are also working on similar projects.“
Interesting times!
I, for one, can’t wait to for VOD instant and universal access to debut. I might never leave my couch and I’ll never miss another The Good Wife again.