Netflix and Streaming Video

Netflix and Streaming Video is the first book to provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the business of subscriber-funded streaming video and its implications for the role of these services in culture. Drawing on Lotz’s two decades of research, it highlights the similarities and differences among streaming video services (Netflix; Amazon) and video distribution technologies (broadcast; satellite; internet). Making a number of provocative and thought-provoking arguments, the book first reveals how the reliance on subscriber payment and video on demand produces different norms and strategies compared to previous video businesses. It then investigates Netflix and how its particular blend of characteristics distinguishes it from other subscriber-funded video on demand services. The author expertly shows that, by understanding the underlying economic and technological dynamics of these services (and their differences), it is possible to better assess the actions taken by the companies and what the future of video may encompass. The book is a must-read for students and scholars of Media and Communications Studies, as well as those wishing to learn more about Netflix and streaming video services.

Preface Acknowledgements List of Figures Introduction Section One: Subscriber-funded streaming services are different from linear services 1. Experience: On Schedules and Viewing Practices 2. Building Libraries: Conglomerating Niches and Beyond? 3. Subscriber Funding: On Success Metrics, Program Strategies, and Demographics 4. Licensing, Labour, Regulation, and Recommendation 5. Scale and Specialization 6. The Discrepant Field of Global Services Section One Conclusion Section Two: Netflix is not like other subscriber-funded streaming video services 7. Netflix Content Concepts and Vocabulary 8. Netflix Library Strategies 9. Netflix Content Strategies 10. Netflix’s Approach to Being Global Section Two Conclusion Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index