Building A Niche OTT Platform To Compete Against The Giants In 2022

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When we talk about the giants of the OTT world, the first names that come to mind are platforms like Netflix, Disney+, HBOMax, or Hulu. Plus, in an effort to convince the fickle viewer to stay and pay, many of these big names put their content libraries together by merging and creating even larger streaming platforms. 

But what does this mean for the little guy? Is there a way for indie filmmakers and video content creators to measure up? 

As it turns out, you don’t have to measure up with the giants of the OTT world. You just have to find your niche and learn how to monetize it.

Why Do Niche OTT Services Work?

With so many giants out there, it’s only natural to wonder if there’s room for the little guy. But the numbers show niche platforms have a great chance of gathering users’ attention (even if those users already have one or several subscriptions with established platforms). 

That’s because the type of content offered by the giants of the industry is mostly produced in-house and designed to appeal to a larger, more diverse audience

On the other hand, small platforms focus on specific types of content such as anime or wrestling. So, the fans of the genre will be happy to know there’s a platform out there just for them. 

Plus, there are OTT niche platforms that can support indie filmmakers and documentary makers in an effort to create a different type of cinematic space where people can enjoy TV content that’s not usually accessible to them.

And, if this isn’t enough, some streaming platforms also offer live channels, so people who like to watch the Grammy Awards, Royal weddings, or sports events may be able to do so without a cable subscription.

How To Attract Viewers

So you have the niche and the content that goes well with it; how do you convince users you’re the best option when they’re already paying subscribers for one or several big streaming platforms?

Well, one way is to give them access to the content without a subscription. AVOD, or ad-based video-on-demand services, are quite popular on the market, and even big names like Netflix think about using it.

That’s because it works splendidly well – OTT revenue from video advertising is expected to surpass $318 billion by 2027, and when it’s done right, users are happy. 

You should also think about the steps needed to build your niche OTT platform and the features you want to offer. Luckily, nowadays, it’s quite easy if you have access to the right resources. For instance, if you’re not used to the Roku platform, you’ll need a step-by-step on how to create Roku channel for your content. 

Is there a Chance for Niche OTT?

In today’s day and age, streaming seems to be the word of the day in the entertainment industry. Whether we’re talking about anime, stand-up, or documentaries, you are bound to find at least a couple of services that offer access to that type of content.

Plus, gaming streaming and live streaming as part of the vlogging experience are also on the rise. So, is there a chance for those trying to cut a piece of the pie for themselves?

It depends. If you have the good fortune of finding a niche that’s popular and you can buy/create the right type of content, chances are your efforts will be successful. However, there are lots of hurdles when you are working with a limited budget and fighting against big-pocketed platforms. 

On the other hand, having a limitless budget and easy access to millions of people doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be successful. The resounding failure of Youtube Red and Qubi showed the world that you need something more to make OTT work.