Blog: Content strategy

With national lockdowns becoming the norm and the majority of nonessential workers being sent to work remotely, the video industry is set for some interesting changes over the next few months. As recently published in MIDiA Research’s report, COVID-19 | Entertainment and Leisure Industry Impact Assessment (a free, redacted version available for download here ), the new landscape will be a mixed bag for video content.

For the meek shall inherit the earth… Since early 2019, MIDiA has been publishing findings that we are moving progressively into a market dynamic in which creators are being empowered by technology to have greater direct control of their output, from conception to completion to monetisation.

Having just celebrated its 10 th (streaming) birthday, Netflix followed up with a strong earnings release, announcing 5.8 million net new paid subscribers in Q4 , sending its share price up by 9%. This wraps up a stellar year for Netflix, one in which it doubled down on original programming and delivered acclaimed hits such as Stranger Things and The OA, shows that don’t fit the traditional TV mould.

Today marks the tenth anniversary since Netflix launched its pivot into video streaming. Up until 2006, Netflix was a troubled company with repeated predictions for the inevitable demise of its DVD-rental business dating back to 2002.

YouTubers have become some of the biggest reach content creators out there. The likes of Marcus Butler, Zoella and Pewdiepie are living proof that it is completely possible today for a single YouTuber to supersede the reach of large traditional content creators and their programmes for a fraction of the budget.