When it comes to the way we consume content, a lot has changed in recent years. Until 2007, when Netflix launched its own platform for viewers around the United States, the only way to watch your favorite original content was through a cable TV provider. While YouTube was popular around this time, and you could, to an extent, watch original content, it wasn’t at the same level as the programs we know today.
With streaming services becoming more popular than standard cable across many demographics, the market has flooded with its widest selection of services to date — from Apple TV to Amazon Prime, Discovery+, and so much more.
In this guide, we’ll explore the popularity of streaming platforms and some of the reasons why viewers have gravitated towards original content in this way.
The Rise of Binge-Watching
When streaming services began uploading their original content, we were treated to something that we’d never experienced before — the availability to watch all episodes at our leisure without having to wait week after week for a new episode. With the full selection of episodes at our fingertips, the trend of binge-watching gained traction and became increasingly popular across a variety of audiences.
With the availability of new shows and cable favorites, now added to various streaming services, audiences could watch handfuls of episodes of their favorite content, from the latest political drama to original series like Truth to Power, on upcoming streaming platforms like Broadstream. Just one of the reasons why streaming services have become many viewers’ go-to for content.
Diverse Content
One of the biggest perks of accessing a streaming service is the volume and diversity of content at your disposal. Unlike the days of cable TV, where each show has its own day and time during the week, limiting the type of content available, streaming platforms allow viewers the opportunity to choose from a wider selection of content across a broader range of genres.
Viewers can tailor what they watch to more niche categories, like broadway-based content, family comedy, or even competition shows, which have become popular across multiple demographics.
Affordability
For many households, cable subscriptions can increase their expenses significantly, especially if they opt for packages with additional channels. With streaming, viewers pay a single monthly price and instantly have access to more content than they would likely get with their TV provider. With one monthly payment to keep track of, subscribers can streamline their expenses without sacrificing their favorite content.
Starting Your Own Platform
While Netflix may have kicked off the rise of streaming platforms, that doesn’t mean they’re the only one in the business. These days, in addition to larger platforms from Amazon and Apple, up-and-coming content creators are looking to reach their audiences in a more modern way, and many are looking to create their own platforms.
If you’ve been toying with the same idea, it’s important to ensure that you not only offer a variety of content for your viewers to watch but that your subscription model, if any, is priced affordably since there is a significant amount of competition in the market.
The most important aspect of creating your own platform is to always put the needs of your customers first. If you’re able to cater to their needs and provide content that they can engage with, you’ll have a better chance of success.