Netflix Revision

Student Revision Notes
Media area	The Past	Example	How has the internet/ technology facilitated this	Impact on media areas	Key terminology	Theory and relevant terminology	The future
Film industry, Netflix and film distribution	Films had to rely on box office sales in order to make money. This posed a significant risk- no guarantee film would do well.	Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend. Netflix made a distributor- finance deal with the Weinstein Co. In return for providing money to fund the film, Netflix was given exclusive distribution rights to the film. With it being released simultaneously on Netflix as in IMAX cinemas on the 26th February 2016	Audience are able to access Netflix via the internet, thanks to wi-fi, 3G, 4g. Also technological convergence has meant the audience could watch this film from different devices as soon as it premiered, e.g. smart phone.	Films get a definite amount of money for the film without having to totally depend on box office. Led to a boycott of some cinemas for the film because believe audience are less likely to go to the cinema to watch it, when they can do so at home straight away. For example American cinema chain Regal Entertainment Group refused to show it.	Production Digital distribution Technological convergence	Chris Anderson- could result in a growth in the long tail. Possibility for more niche products because it provides a safety net for the producers.	Likely to see more of this with simultaneous digital distribution. It benefits the film companies as they have an element of safety which box office does not provide, as well as allowing the audience to watch via different devices from the premiere date and not have to wait. Could lead to a reduction of piracy, because films are cheaper.

Student Revision Notes
Media Area	The Past	Example	How has the internet/technology facilitated this?	Impact on media area	Key terminology	Theory and relevant terminology	The future
Netflix & film production	Mostly major film companies/conglomerates had the funds and tech to make films, maybe some smaller studios. Not a lot of indie stuff.	Special Correspondents	Streaming is becoming incredibly popular and profitable.	Netflix pre-bought global distribution rights for $12M. This=Netflix exclusive, despite Sony buying rights for cinema distribution.	Streaming conglomerates (Digital) distribution	Gauntlett-bypassing media ‘gods’ -Sony’s pretty ticked off. Long tail	More and more streaming service-exclusive films are likely- Netflix keeps getting bigger. Audiences like convenience, plus it’s probably cheaper than buying movie tickets.