Amanda Stears | MIDiA Research

AVOD Players Case Study
Media Prima Berhad and Cinedigm

Amanda Stears

December 2019

Video

roku

Introduction Ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) services face significant challenges in their efforts to be commercially sustainable, in particular the struggle to attract advertisers away from traditional...

Hotstar's potential Disney+ partnership raises brand challenges

Amanda Stears

12 Dec 2019

21CF

21st Century Fox

ad-free

Yesterday Indian streaming service Hotstar published its 2019 India Watch Report . Hotstar (a fully-owned Disney subsidiary since the 21CF acquisition by Disney back in March of this year) now boldly states...

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20/20 Vision
MIDiA Research Predictions 2020

Alistair Taylor, Amanda Stears, Karol Severin, Keith Jopling, Mark Mulligan, Tim Mulligan and Zach Fuller

December 2019

Apple

Spotify

Discovery

In this report MIDiA Research analysts present their predictions for what will be the big trends in digital media and tech across music, video, media, brands, marketing, games and sports in 2020 and the...

Universal Search – The Gaping Hole in Streaming Video

Amanda Stears

5 Dec 2019

All 4

BBC iPlayer

cord shavers

The day is done and you are slouched on the sofa, ready for some binge watching. But how often have you found yourself aimlessly scrolling through Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV etc. not knowing exactly...

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Roku Aims for TV Market Share with European Expansion

Amanda Stears

26 Nov 2019

All 4

Apple TV

Argos

Roku has partnered with manufacturer Hisense to release its first Roku TV in the UK this coming Black Friday at Argos. Announced September 7th at the IFA 2019 a.k.a Berlin Radio Show, these smart TVs are...

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TV Network Rankings
Brand Equity and the Weaponisation of Originals

Amanda Stears

November 2019

US

UK

YouTube

The big streaming networks Netflix and Amazon have become the powerhouses of video brand equity by simultaneously weaponising TV shows as acquisition tools and assimilating the brands of traditional networks...

The Enduring Role of Niche VOD Services and Targeted Short Form Content

Amanda Stears

6 Nov 2019

Apple TV

BAMBU

BET+

On September 19 Viacom Media Networks launched BET+, an over-the-top (OTT) service focusing on African American culture. The $9.99 a month subscription video on demand (SVOD) service is joint venture between...

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Netflix Launches Mobile-Only Plan in Malaysia

Amanda Stears

29 Oct 2019

ad-free

advertising video on demand

Apple TV

Netflix unveiled its RM17 ($4) mobile-only subscription plan for Malaysia last week on October 24th. The official announcement marks the end of Netflix’s test launch since end of last year, trialling...

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Recession Impact
How an Economic Downturn Could Reshape Digital Media

Alistair Taylor, Amanda Stears, Karol Severin, Keith Jopling, Mark Mulligan, Tim Mulligan and Zach Fuller

October 2019

Apple

Spotify

Amazon

Ten years on from the credit crunch, the global economy could be poised to enter another economic recession. Many of the underlying causes of the credit crunch remain in place, due to governments lacking...

The Streaming War Enters a New Phase with Aggressive Content Slates

Amanda Stears

22 Oct 2019

Apple TV

binge watch

Disney

For once, consumers can hit the pause button on subscription fatigue and watch the streaming wars unfold while reaping the benefits of the competition. US viewers are in for a treat as the launches of...

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BBC Kids to LADbible: Video Providers Expand Their Reach

Amanda Stears

18 Oct 2019

2btube

Alibaba

AVOD

In the streaming era, having international reach is just as important as being an established local brand. This week (October 14) sees TV players Tubi, Facebook Watch and Youku each expanding content reach...

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Indonesia’s Gojek Rivals Netflix with New Streaming Service GoPlay

Amanda Stears

8 Oct 2019

Apple TV

Disney

GoGames

Indonesia’s leading mobile payment platform and tech unicorn Gojek launched its video-on-demand (VOD) service on 26 September. This comes shortly after its extension into the gaming industry with its...

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Why Short Form Content Resonates with Younger Generations

Amanda Stears

2 Oct 2019

China

digital natives

douyin

Digital natives – be they classified as millennials or generation Z – have always had the term “instant gratification” associated with them. This is a reflection of the way technology has shaped...

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Three Things You Need to Know About ASMR Videos

Amanda Stears

24 Sep 2019

ASMR

ASMR videos

Bacardi

What is ASMR? ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response, a sensory phenomenon that is increasingly known to induce relaxation and counteract anxiety. ASMR is known to induce a tingling sensation...

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NFL Tackles Gen Z through Social Media Platforms

Amanda Stears

17 Sep 2019

AMA

CBS

e-sports

5 September marked the kick-off of the 2019 National Football League (NFL) season – its 100th season to-date. This will be particularly relevant for broadcasters and sports rights holders alike, as the...

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Streaming in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Opportunities for International Competitors

Amanda Stears

10 Sep 2019

Apple TV

asia pacific

Disney

With a combined population of 371.7 million and a combined GDP of $2.9 trillion, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia represent sizeable and fast-growing markets for streaming services. The largest players...

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Starz to Increase Brand Presence with AT&T Carriage Deal

Amanda Stears

3 Sep 2019

OTT

Pay TV

pay tv operators

On August 30, AT&T announced a multi-year content carriage deal with Starz, allowing AT&T to offer STARZ content to its customers. This content deal includes STARZ and STARZ ENCORE premium linear...

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YouTube Returns to Its Roots by Making Originals Free

Amanda Stears

30 Aug 2019

ad supported strategy

AVOD

cord cutters

YouTube is shifting its original programming strategy by lifting the paywall for all of its original content. Since the rebranding of YouTube Premium in 2018, viewers can opt to pay for a monthly subscription...

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Southeast Asia Video Streaming Deep Dive

Amanda Stears

August 2019

Streaming

Streaming video

Apple TV

Video streaming services in Southeast Asia first appeared in 2015 and have evolved into the main video consumption platforms for local consumers. With a combined population of 371.65 million, and a combined...

TV Show Fandom
Streaming Redefines TV Show Success

Amanda Stears

August 2019

Streaming

Streaming video

Apple TV

The scripted drama boom and the rise of streaming have dramatically reshaped TV consumption and viewing habits. The act of watching a TV show is no longer confined within the four walls of the living room,...