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ViewNexa survey highlights viewer dissatisfaction with streaming services
Mumbai: Nearly half (46 per cent) of viewers do not believe they are getting good value from major streaming services, with nearly a fifth (19 per cent) saying they could do better, according to a survey by Bitcentral’s ViewNexa, the unified workflow solution that simplifies video management, streaming, the consumer application experience, and distribution for media companies and content owners. The findings come from the company’s new report, ‘How to follow the audience: the challenges and opportunities in today’s streaming market.’
The research shows that under half of older viewers believe they are getting good value from their paid video subscriptions. There is an untapped opportunity to reach and monetize this segment of viewers through advertising. Baby Boomers (59-77-year-olds) would be more likely to watch three ad breaks an hour (44 per cent) than millennials (32 per cent).
When asked what would make viewers try a new streaming service, over three-quarters (76 per cent) of those asked cited relevant content as the number one reason. Audiences are open to free, advertising-based options, with three-quarters (75 per cent) saying they are interested in trying services like Pluto, Tubi, or Amazon Freevee.
Netflix’s crackdown on password-sharing has not been popular, creating another opportunity for other streaming subscribers to take advantage of subscriber unrest. Two-thirds (65 per cent) of Netflix subscribers say the crackdown on password sharing has driven them to look elsewhere. Millennials (aged 27-42) say they are most likely to switch, with a third (33 per cent) saying they are very likely to consider other providers.
“Despite what may seem a crowded marketplace, there is ample opportunity for companies with high-quality content to succeed in the direct-to-consumer streaming market,” said Bitcentral GM Streaming Media Group Greg Morrow. “A lot of the industry conversation is dominated by big streaming services that cater to a mass market, but there are whole swathes of viewers who are more than open to change if the content and price point are right. There is a fantastic opportunity to increase ARPU if providers cater better to the nuances among their audience.”
‘How to follow the audience: the challenges and opportunities in the streaming market today’ is available to download at: https://content.bitcentral.com/viewnexa-survey-report
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Netflix acquires Ben Affleck’s AI film-tech firm InterPositive
Streaming giant picks up production startup to streamline digital filmmaking
LOS ANGELES: Netflix has officially acquired InterPositive, an AI film-technology startup founded by actor and director Ben Affleck. The move marks a significant investment by the streaming service into assistive AI tools designed to support the technical side of movie production. While many AI companies focus on generating new images or scripts, InterPositive focuses on the logistical challenges of filmmaking. The firm’s technology is designed to handle technical tasks that often delay post-production, such as correcting lighting inconsistencies and ensuring visual continuity across different takes.
The acquisition is not about replacing human actors or writers. Instead, Netflix intends to use the technology as a digital assistant for directors. The software understands cinematic logic, meaning it can automatically adjust background elements or environmental effects to ensure a film looks polished and consistent without months of manual editing.
In a Netflix post on Thursday, Affleck emphasised that the project was born out of a desire to support the craft rather than automate it. “I knew I had a responsibility to my peers and our industry, to protect the power of human creativity and the people behind it. In creating InterPositive, I sought to do just that,” Affleck wrote. “From the invention of the moving image to the transition to digital, from motion capture to virtual production, technology has evolved alongside the artists who use it. Our shared commitment to continuing this legacy makes joining together a natural next step.”
Netflix chief product and technology officer Elizabeth Stone said, “Our approach to AI has always been focused on meaningfully serving the needs of the creative community. InterPositive’s technology is purpose-built for filmmakers and showrunners to naturally support their visions. We’re excited to welcome the team to Netflix and continue building a future where technology enhances storytelling, while people remain at the core.”
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria added, “New tools should expand creative freedom, not constrain it. Ben and his team are part of a long tradition of artists leading innovation in storytelling. Their work gives filmmakers more choices, control, and protection for their vision.”
The deal coincides with a broader partnership between Netflix and Artists Equity, the production company led by Affleck and Matt Damon. Following the success of their recent projects on the platform, this acquisition cements Affleck’s role as both a creative and technical advisor to the streamer. Affleck noted that the partnership was a logical fit due to “Netflix’s decades of experience applying and scaling technology responsibly.” He will serve as a senioradvisor for the integration of the technology, ensuring the tools remain focused on helping filmmakers.
For the film industry, this acquisition signals a shift in strategy. Rather than just buying finished movies, Netflix is now owning the specialized technology used to build them. By bringing these tools in-house, the company aims to reduce the rising costs and lengthy timelines associated with high-budget original films while giving their productions a technical edge in speed and visual quality.
