According to a recent analysis by Streaming Media, one of the biggest upcoming shifts in the video industry isn’t about fancy formats or 8K resolution — it’s about how streaming services combine and monetise across linear‑TV, FAST (Free Ad‑Supported TV), on‑demand and ad models.
What’s happening
- Platforms are moving beyond pure subscriber models and hybridising revenue: subscription + ads + sponsorship + global licensing.
- There's increasing emphasis on unified monetisation (i.e., treating all video‑delivery pathways—live, on‑demand, linear, FAST—as part of one strategy) rather than siloing them.
- This matters especially for video creators and smaller scale producers (podcast‑video hybrids, brand channels, educational content) because the infrastructure and expectations from platforms are shifting.
- Technical and data needs are evolving: measurement across device types, ad formats, audience segments, engagement‑versus‑reach. Platforms expect more sophisticated assets and workflows.
Why it matters to you
If you’re producing video or podcast‑video content (or helping a brand produce it):
- Think beyond “upload and hope” — ask how your content fits into possible ad or monetisation models (even if you’re not a giant publisher).
- Explore alternate platforms (FAST, ad‑supported, syndication) in addition to subscription or pay‑walls.
- Ensure your video production assets are ready for multiple formats/devices (TV screens, mobile, connected‑apps) since distribution pathways are broadening.
- Collect engagement and data (watch‑time, drop‑off, device types) so you can speak the language platforms and advertisers expect.
In short
The “platform problem” for video creators is no longer just about making good content, but about aligning with monetisation models and distribution infrastructure.
Your ability to stay in business—and to scale—may depend as much on how you partner with platforms and build your distribution strategy as on the content itself.
