Streaming services have revolutionized entertainment. Their growing popularity has increased consumer choice and allowed personalized recommendations, but also threatened movie theaters and cable networks.
As more services enter the market, they will compete to offer compelling content selections – some may focus on original pieces like Netflix’s investment in original series.
YouTube
YouTube is a global cultural and social phenomenon and one of the world’s most-watched video platforms. Created in 2005 by former PayPal employees Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim; its initial concept was intended as a video-centric dating service but this idea failed and its team pivoted toward YouTube instead. By spring of 2006 it had officially emerged from private beta and become publicly accessible.
YouTube’s early success can be traced back to viral content creation. Videos such as “Charlie Bit My Finger” and the mesmerizing dance routine from “Evolution of Dance” attracted millions of viewers, and helped put YouTube on the map as mainstream awareness grew.
YouTube allowed its users to create channels where they could upload and share videos with the community, with viewers subscribing to their favorite channels and new content appearing automatically in their subscription feeds. This model proved immensely successful, making YouTube such an influential force in streaming media.
YouTube has long adapted to user trends and technological changes, such as its acceptance of gaming as a medium. YouTube creators such as Ninja, CouRage JD, Valkyrae TimTheTatMan DrLupo have seen great success creating video game commentary videos or let’s plays that have found great success on YouTube.
Recent years, YouTube has explored innovative new methods of making money. One such initiative involves live shopping videos akin to QVC where viewers can chat directly with presenters and receive discounts codes from products shown during each video. This has proved extremely lucrative for creators making videos on YouTube while adding another layer to its offerings.
YouTube has taken lessons from other services and platforms to stay competitive and growing. They have a longstanding partnership with television that has provided income to many content producers. Moving forward, YouTube may expand this effort further with additional advertising options and live streaming features.
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Netflix
Beginning as a DVD rental-by-mail service in 1997, Netflix has transformed into the world’s preeminent streaming platform, revolutionizing how consumers consume entertainment. Behind its remarkable transformation is an incredible tale of innovation and strategic decisions driven by Reed Hastings – CEO and Chairman of Netflix.
As soon as they set up Netflix, its founders were dedicated to digital innovation and customer experience at the core of their business model. They wanted a video rental service without inconvenient store visits or costly late fees; therefore they invested both their time and money to make it possible.
As DVD sales began to decline, Hastings recognized that his company needed to change in order to remain relevant. He made the difficult choice to switch from physical DVD distribution to streaming-only, which at first was less profitable; yet this risky move proved successful as Netflix became more widely popular with customers and saw revenue growth accelerate accordingly.
Netflix has found the shift from physical DVDs to streaming extremely beneficial in terms of both costs and global reach. As such, shows like “Stranger Things”, “The Crown”, and “Narcos” have attracted immense audiences worldwide while winning multiple awards and further solidifying their brand image for Netflix.
Netflix has made significant strides towards becoming a major competitor in the media industry through investing in original content. By investing in original programming, the company has managed to secure intellectual property and broadcasting rights from established media publishers as well as become a significant distributor of its own original material.
Streaming services have seen their success fueled by key advancements in technology, including data compression techniques and enhanced broadband infrastructure. These advances allow the transmission of high-quality videos over the Internet and make streaming platforms an attractive alternative to traditional methods of media consumption – which has lead to many more consumers opting for streaming over cable or satellite television services.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is the go-to streaming service for cord-cutters looking for their favorite TV shows and movies without cable subscription fees. Boasting an expansive library with blockbuster movies, hit television series, award-winning Amazon Originals, premium channels, and sports content; Prime Video makes a smart choice.
Prime Video features a rotating selection of new releases, classic films, and older TV series – including original movies such as Blow the Man Down, The Big Sick, Honey Boy Manchester by the Sea Sound of Metal plus many others. Now that Amazon owns MGM they’ve expanded their library even further by including MGM+ films – such as Zoe Kravitz’s directorial debut!
Amazon Prime stands out as an alternative streaming service by offering 4K video content, alongside Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. However, unlike these three other services it also allows customers to download TV shows and movies offline to their mobile app for anytime viewing – plus its unique Prime Video apps allow customers to select up to three titles at the same time!
Amazon Prime Video streaming service does not feature advertisements, although some pre-roll ads may appear. These typically promote other titles offered through Prime Video without interfering with your viewing experience; you can easily skip over these when watching shows or movies.
Prime Video offers access to an expansive library of on-demand content, as well as additional channels at an extra monthly fee. Cinemax costs $9.99; Lifetime Movie Club and LMN each cost $10; Smithsonian Earth costs just $1.99 and Qello Concerts can be added for $3.99 each month; up to four channels can be added with standard or higher membership levels only.
Prime Video offers numerous perks, such as free and two-day deliveries on many items, an e-reader library, and access to Prime Music – not forgetting that it recently became the exclusive provider of live NBA games and recently signed an agreement to broadcast WNBA matches as well.
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Disney+
Disney+ may only be two years old, yet has already reached 100 million subscribers globally! That is an astounding accomplishment given that market leader Netflix took approximately 10 years to achieve the same feat.
Launching a major streaming service is no simple task for any company; when working with such a formidable brand as Disney, things become even more complex. A major launch can cause ripples through teams and titles as they shift around publicly, altering existing licensing agreements, or prompt leaks to occur.
As such, Disney had to tread carefully when unveiling its new service, Disney+. To prevent any potential problems from arising before launch day itself, CTAs for Disney+ signup began being distributed prior to introducing it – this allowed Disney to start tracking new users and measure conversion rates prior to even going live with its service.
Disney+ also gave Disney an opportunity to showcase some of its best content and branding. For instance, its newly designed homepage puts users front and center. It boasts a large, high-resolution image from one of their popular animated shows as well as an overlay listing top shows/movies/ratings available on Disney+.
Disney+ boasts an outstanding library when it comes to content. While Amazon Prime or Netflix may have more choices, Disney+ provides an outstanding selection of classic films, TV series, movies and original material not found elsewhere – not only that but there are several original Disney titles not seen anywhere else as well as plenty of Pixar and Star Wars properties!
Disney+ features original content beyond movies and TV shows, such as Star Wars television shows such as Obi-Wan Kenobi (which takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope with Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen reprising their roles), The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka which continues Rosario Dawson’s starring role as Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan Ahsoka.