55 OTT TV FILES FilmStruck International
offering. A strong emphasis on catering to different audiences with carefully chosen bespoke local content is key. The service offerings for each market reflect expert local curation. The service for France draws on local content partners Carlotta Films, MK2, RKO and StudioCanal, while the service for Spain teams with local content providers Wanda, Caramel and A Contracorriente Films, resulting in a rich mix of local, European and global content. The company has plans for further expansion over the next year, although it has not disclosed any details as yet. “We’re very pleased with the number of subscribers we’re getting month on month,” says Samanidis. “We have different content strategies in each market. I feel you really need a collection of well-curated films, so we have local programmers across each of the three markets to cater for each of those bases.” FilmStruck’s strategy for international growth is quite simple, says Samanidis. Point one is to “really know and understand the audience, to give them films they will continue to watch”. Point two is to “provide them with a service that
is easy to use and satisfies the wants of the viewer as a film service”. She refers in the latter case to the need to provide viewers with an OTT service that is easy to navigate, simple to understand, and that doesn’t result in them spending all evening looking for something to watch, rather than actually watching. GOING IT ALONE As to what an OTT content provider should bear in mind when beginning or improving their service, Samanidis offers: “This is not something to go into lightly. If you’re interested in really reaching scale, it takes time, money and expertise, but there are great partners out there who can allow you to launch your services on their platforms. But some OTT content services are closing down as quickly as others are springing up. “There’s a lot to consider but the main insight I’d give is to make sure there is a genuine audience for your content, and make sure you’re not competing with anyone else. If you are, make sure your service is better! There’s no easy answer here, but make sure your service is great and that it appeals to the people you want it to appeal to.”
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