Netflix explores video podcasts to compete with YouTube for TV market share
YouTube is mostly consumed on TV in the USA and benefits from its video creators. Netflix would also like to integrate this affordable content.
(Image: Shutterstock.com/MAXSHOT.PL)
According to market researchers, YouTube is now the most consumed streaming service on TV sets in US households, even ahead of Netflix & Co. This is probably one of the reasons why Netflix, the film and TV series platform with the most subscribers worldwide, is considering entering the production of video podcasts. This format has become increasingly popular in recent years and is cheaper to produce than films or TV series.
Netflix continues to grow as a streaming platform and now has 300 million subscribers, but producing its own content, such as films and TV series, is an expensive undertaking. The recent entry into the broadcasting of sports broadcasts such as games from the North American football league NFL, special boxing matches and wrestling events from the WWE is also not cheap due to licensing rights.
Netflix considers video talk show with podcasters
With video podcasts, Netflix could add a format to its offering that is cheaper than previous productions. The streaming service had previously expressed skepticism whether such formats could be successful on its platform. But now, according to a report by Business Insider, Netflix has spoken to managers of podcast personalities to sound out whether they would run a video talk show.
One of these talent agents has also confirmed the reason for this push by Netflix into video podcasts. "This way they get an amazing amount of content at a fraction of the cost paid for scripted and unscripted budgets," said this one. Netflix is apparently considering various strategies. The platform could sign well-known podcasters to produce exclusive content on the platform or simply pull shows previously broadcast elsewhere, such as on YouTube, to Netflix.
Videos by heise
YouTube usage on TV overtakes PCs and mobile devices
YouTube has also overtaken Netflix on TV. According to market researchers from Nielsen, YouTube is the streaming service with which US TV viewers spend the most time. This goes hand in hand with the development of the TV as the primary platform for YouTube, as YouTube itself writes. According to this, YouTube videos are now watched more often on TVs than on computers or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, at least in the USA.
With its entry into the broadcasting of video podcasts, Netflix could potentially take market share from YouTube among TV viewers. However, these are only possible plans so far; Netflix itself has not yet commented on this.
(fds)
