Pay models – AVOD, SVOD, hybrids – had already been discussed a few times at OTT Question Time Live 2024 by the time we got to this session on Day 2 so we pivoted to exploring the introduction of ad tiers on Netflix and Amazon Prime and their recent price changes.
Why had Netflix recently simplified its offering to the standard subscription without ads or a cheaper subscription with commercials? What was the potential ROI to Amazon in showing ads? And how had both companies arrived at their new charging structures – what was the process?
Kauser Kanji, MD of VOD Professional and host of OTTQTL was joined by Kate Dean, VP Direct-to-Consumer, Universal Pictures, Julie Mitchelmore, VP Digital, A+E Networks EMEA, Jonas Engwall, CEO, Bedrock and Paolo Cuttorelli, SVP Global Sales, Evergent.
ABOUT KAUSER KANJI
Kauser Kanji has been working in online video for 19 years, formerly at Virgin Media, ITN and NBC Universal, and founded VOD Professional in 2011. He has since completed major OTT projects for, amongst others, A+E Networks, the BBC, BBC Studios, Channel 4, DR (Denmark), Liberty Global, Netflix, Sony Pictures, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and UKTV. He now writes industry analyses, hosts an online debate show, OTT Question Time, as well as its in-person sister event, OTT Question Time Live.