IndieFlix is finally putting 60 titles up on our site for streaming in addition to their DVD delivery. We will then start rolling out about 50 more titles every few weeks. I can’t help but think, do people really want to pay for streaming to watch a movie on their computers? Sometimes I think yes, look at iTunes and other times I say no way, look at Hulu, Joost, YouTube etc.
I watch TV content on Joost and Hulu and it’s free, there are ads but I’m used to them. In fact there are a lot less ads in online content than on prime time TV. Truth be told I watch Hulu more than Joost and yet Joost has been phenomenal to work with and I like their social networking component but I like the content on Hulu better. Our IndieFlix channel is launching soon on Hulu I’m pretty excited.
I’ve drifted off topic here, but my gut says people want to watch content online for free or pay for a DVD. I think when the TV and the internet marry then perhaps more of us will pay to watch an ad free movie right? I recently bought an On Demand movie on Comcast and paid $6.95. I should go back to my video store or better yet spend $3 more and see it on the big screen. There are so many models out there. It’s kind of exciting to see what will ultimately become best practice. I would love to hear some feedback.
Scilla Andreen
Filmmaker, CEO & Co-founder IndieFlix.com
Tags: DVD, film distribution, filmmakers, IndieFlix, IndieFlix office, scilla andreen, streaming, TV online streaming
I’m of a firm mind that streaming should be free. If you can’t compete with Hulu in terms of content or advertising power then charging for it seems counter-productive. I think people would pay for HD-capable video streams, but I don’t think the technology is there quite yet for full HD over internet. But that’s essentially what you pay for with iTunes. HD-quality (though not exactly true HD if you look at the specs) that you download to own. I think providing content to users for free and then offering them a higher quality alternative for a fee is the way to go. I like that Indieflix is looking at this though! I’m really excited at the possibilities of internet video for filmmakers.
What if the content is not widely available, i.e, most independent features and documentaries, instructional videos, lectures? What if folks were interested in the content, but not willing to shell out $19.95 to buy the DVD (they won’t be available for rental at Netflix, mind you.) What if there were no ads? What if the stream was high quality? I agree that when TV and Internet hookups are ubiquitous, this will be a no-brainer for everyone. But in the meantime, there is a huge ocean of content suitable for streaming. (And streaming HD will become more available, too.)
I thing the streaming is a wonderful Idea. Recon 7 Down has had good sales, however being a world wide genre film. Streaming will be of great vale for film fans from outside the USA. We have had DVD sales from our own company site from Turkey,AU,NZ,Russian Fed,and UK. Streaming would make it soo much more availible to the world audience at an afordable price and immediate viewing.
Cheney films is for streaming 100%
William Cheney