The streaming landscape is more complex now than ever, with the offer of both content and streaming services out there increasing exponentially. With choices at an all-time-high, subscriber numbers are falling for individual services, and broadcasters are actively seeking new ways to monetize their increasingly expensive content.
The main streaming models currently in discussion are SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand), AVOD (Advertising Video on Demand), and FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV).
The main challenges associated with SVOD are not only subscription fatigue and price sensitivity among consumers due to the immense selection of streaming services out there, but also content acquisition and competition for exclusive content. AVOD on the other hand has to find the delicate balance of ad experience vs. user satisfaction, while dealing with ad blockers and ensuring ad reach. These make it difficult to generate sufficient ad revenue for profitability. FAST usually has a limited content selection compared to SVOD platforms. Advertisers have to maintain a balance between ad load and user experience, and face the risk of audience fragmentation.
New advertising models currently being trialled must take into account the balance between personalization and privacy. Once a new method is developed, the next frontier is to convince advertisers and consumers to adopt it.
So which strategies are currently under discussion among the prominent players in the industry?
For the session “Content, monetization and advertising – the big leagues”, we’re joined by Sabine Anger, SVP Streaming Northern, Central & Eastern Europe, Paramount+, Benedikt Frey, Country Lead DACH, Samsung TV Plus, and Ralf Hape, Managing Director, Sky Media.
Having worked for ViacomCBS, Pluto TV, ProSiebenSat.1 Media, and now Paramount International in strategic positions, Sabine Anger is certainly an expert in entertainment, media and telecommunications. In a recent re:publica panel, she had a deep-dive into the streaming landscape of Germany, discussing media libraries and strategy with the other speakers. What do recent developments in the market mean for high-end series production budgets? Are there resources to be allocated between linear broadcast and media libraries? How about online-first strategies and private broadcasters transitioning to the streaming age? Sabine will talk about how Paramount is dealing with these, and similar topics.
TV Plus is a FAST streaming and video service integrated into Samsung smart TVs, presenting sports, news, movies and TV channels to the viewer for free, making Samsung one of the largest providers of advertising-financed, linear streaming in Germany. In an interview dating back to March of this year, Benedikt Frey stated that Samsung TV Plus is to become a premium FAST service. They offer both their own channels with the classic license deal for content, and third party channels in which the partner delivers a finished channel to them and they share the advertising revenue. Benedikt leads the TV Plus services in three European territories (DACH) while acquiring owned and operated channels and maintaining over 100 linear AVoD / FAST channels within the TV Plus service and accelerating ad revenues.
As the leading marketing company in the pay-TV sector in Germany, Sky Media GmbH is responsible for the sale of advertising time for Sky Deutschland and numerous network channels. With the recent takeover of FIFA+’s marketing in Europe, they are opening a new chapter. Sports provide “excellent new opportunities for advertisers to reach attractive audiences and place their brands in an impactful, highly attention-grabbing environment” according to Ralf Hape, Managing Director of Sky Media.
At #MTHCON23, we will dig into the challenges between SVOD, AVOD, FAST and new advertising models with the leading industry players. Don’t miss out!