How many channels should a streaming platform offer?

As the CEO of SoFAST, we distribute over 500 FAST channels and VOD content to more than 140 streaming platforms worldwide. People are often surprised by the number of FAST channels…

I’m frequently faced with a common concern among industry professionals. Many complain about the vast amount of VOD content (like Netflix) or even FAST channels that platforms like GoogleTV (800 FAST channels) can offer… How do you navigate through it all? It’s a concern that seems to bother many people who lament the abundance of choices.

Let me try to explain my view!

I’ll use my usual example of comparing two stores (one across the street from the other):

If you’re loyal and accustomed to a particular shampoo, and it’s evident that you’ve entered the store on the left side of the street to buy that famous shampoo.

In this store, there’s only a selection of a few items, among which there’s just one shampoo; luckily, it’s the one you’re looking for. The same goes for a single brand of soda, chocolate, laundry detergent, and yogurt (luckily, it’s also the one you’re used to buying!). That’s great; you didn’t enter this store for nothing!

Now, I suggest you look at the store across the street (on the right side of the street). But be careful; this store offers you a complete aisle with an infinite range of shampoos from all brands, an entire section of chocolates from around the world, dozens of laundry detergents, or even all brands of sodas. In short, this whole environment is there to tempt you to try something new or consume more.

Well, the difference is huge because I’m sure you’ll enter that store, as we all love having CHOICE.

Let’s not forget that the viewer wants to have the choice and decide for himself what he wants to watch! It’s the same for products showcased on the end caps, or even better, right within reach in the aisle, right in front of your eyes. And too bad for the cheaper products that you’d have to bend down for at the bottom of the shelf. It’s the same thing when we access an app or our OTT or CTV, where some highlight the content they’ve spent much money on licensing…

So you might ask, how do you navigate through all these choices? That’s where we see a plethora of solutions emerging on our #OTT or even via the #CTV‘s OS (like Titan OS). I’m talking about AI-driven solutions to help us find and highlight the content of our choice, whether it’s based on our habits or a thorough study of what we might want to see.

Some will tell you they only want high-quality channels; of course, that’s what we all want. But in that case, how do you meet the needs for “niche” or “ethnic” content? There’s such a variety of genres and categories, so should there be a selection, or should everything be offered?

What a dilemma for #streamers!

The real question for the viewer is how to navigate through. However, solutions are arriving, and some are already in place: Artificial Intelligence. That’s what will help the best streaming platforms stand out from the crowd with a significant but relevant choice, thanks to a selection aid! 

So yes, we want to choose and, therefore, a wide range of content, but with intelligent assistance to help us to have a better experience!

What do you think?

#FAST ##CTV #OTT #OS #STREAMING #OTTPLATFORMS #TVCHANNELS #VOD