Amazon launched Monday a new self-service platform called Amazon Video Direct to encourage visual storytellers to distribute their work to thousands of devices around the world and earn money from it. Video creators can post their content on the streaming platform and choose between the different revenue alternatives.
All video creators need to do is have a valid Amazon subscription and sign up for a self-publishing account on Amazon Video Direct. They can either sell their content, rent it or set a one-time download fee, offer it at no cost with ads or make it available to Amazon Prime users. There is also the possibility to choose any combination of these options.
Amazon Video Vice-President Jim Freeman said in a statement it is a great time to create content, according to a report by Los Angeles Times.
“There are more options for distribution than ever before and with Amazon Video Direct, for the first time, there’s a self-service option for video providers to get their content into a premium streaming subscription service”, he added.
Revenue options
For now, Amazon Video is available in the United States, Germany, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan, according to the streaming service’s website. The platform lets users have access to performance metrics, including the number of subscribers, minutes streamed, projected revenue, and payment history. Video creators are also allowed to decide how they want to promote their work.
Users will earn royalties of 15 cents per hour streamed in the U.S. and 6 cents in other countries if they select Prime Video distribution. They can earn up to $75,000 per year. Those who prefer to rent their work or choose the add-on or digital purchase alternatives will earn 50 percent of the retail price. And content creators who offer their videos for free with advertising will receive a 55 percent share in ad revenue.
Moreover, Amazon will distribute a share of $1,000,000 per month through a program called AVD Stars based on global consumer engagement as an attempt to encourage video creators to post their content on Amazon’s new platform. Funds will be distributed among the Top 100 AVD titles in Prime Video.
Amazon Video Direct’s partners include the Guardian, MASHABLE, Mattel, Conde Nast Entertainment, Samuel Goldwyn Films, HowStuffWorks, Business Insider, Kino Nation, Journeyman Pictures, Pro Guitar Lessons, Machinima, TYT Network, Jash, Kin Community, Xive TV, Baby Einstein, Synergetic Distribution, CJ Entertainment America and StyleHaul.
It will be interesting to see how Amazon focuses its efforts on the expansion of its brand in the entertainment space, given the tough competition it faces against YouTube and Facebook, among other increasingly popular video platforms that take advantage of the social components Amazon Video Direct does not have.
Source: Los Angeles Times