Fox has just arranged to purchase Roku for $22B. Fox, owned by Disney, and which purchased Tubi in 2019 (after which it began focusing on major studio releases and slowly pruning independent films. I believe this closes the circle - there are only a couple places left where and independent film can be seen without being classified and handled, and monetized, by an MPA member.... The story here:
Distribution : Fox (Disney) Buys ROKU by Shadow Dragu-Mihai
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That's a massive consolidation, and it means one company will control a major streaming device platform and a direct pipeline to over a hundred million households, which could eventually bury independent films in favor of Fox's own library. What do you think this means for indie filmmakers who have been relying on those platforms?
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Samantha Rivera I don't think it means much different, as its just the latest in the trend. In fact, ALL first and second tier streaming platforms have been bought up by MPA principals or subs in the last 5 years, which is another lockout of independent distribution and profits. MUBI seems last indie platform standing, if I am not mistaken, and they're not necessarily a great option for everyone. But honestly, as head of the Independent Producers Guild for the last 4 years, I can say without qualification that most (ie. 90%+) aspiring independent filmmakers just don't understand that they filmmaking is a business and they must be entrepreneurs if they want to make money at it, and that they really have no intention of becoming that. One way forward, IMO is niche franchise platforms, like those being led by various and diverse people like Mr. Beast, Viva La Dirt League, The Why Files, Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, Deerstalker Pictures et al, and the growing cadre of creators who are moving from YouTube and TikTok to their own dedicated platforms. They are adapting to the radical shifts in viewer preferences, promotional strategies etc. and they are masters of their own house. And, again IMO, there is a marked return to the power of personality - in other words, celebrity and name recognition matters to audiences, especially when the audience discovers that name instead of being told about it.
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Thanks Shadow Dragu-Mihai , that's interesting.
The part about creators building their own platforms got me thinking. I've been spending a lot of time looking for filmmakers, but maybe I should also be paying attention to filmmakers and creators who already have an audience behind them.
And yeah, I think I'm finally starting to understand why you keep bringing up marketing all the time .
Appreciate the insight.
Muhammad Muhammad That is what you should be doing, IMO.