Streaming services are having a huge impact, especially in the north of Europe. Companies that are dedicated to the video industry have thus benefited from the significant growth of recent years, thanks to the advantages produced by the adoption of video streaming.
The success of video streaming has not gone unnoticed in northern Europe. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO have begun to gain followers not only because of the quality and variety of the movies, series, and documentaries they offer, but also because of the competitive prices they are offering.
Some time ago, it was believed that the film industry was on the verge of collapse because of illegal downloading and piracy. Nevertheless, video streaming and the platforms that offer this kind of content have demonstrated there is still hope. Still, we should not forget about another resource with which we are quite familiar: social networks.
Social networks have also begun to incorporate tools that enable video streaming. Thus, streaming is being used as a resource by businesses and entrepreneurs so they can carry out strategies that extend their reach to more customers, increasing sales of their products or services.
For example, Facebook Live, is increasingly being used to perform live broadcasts with which followers can interact and ask questions, which can be responded to in real time. The same thing is happening with Instagram Direct and YouTube. This is how video streaming has been gaining more and more ground in northern Europe.
Why is video streaming so successful?
Video streaming owes its success to the growing need to provide quality for a modest sum. This is why streaming has a number of advantages that make it a valuable resource. Its positive outcomes have been witnessed over the years in northern Europe. Some of these advantages are:
- Streaming allows content to be displayed across a number of different technological devices: from a computers, tablets, or smartphones, people can stream video with zero hurdles.
- An affordable price: The fact that the video streaming does not entail a huge cash investment and the cost is negligible reveals why streaming has been so successful in northern Europe.
- A unique content offering: an advantage to streaming is that many video platforms have created their own unique content, which adds value and helps them foster subscriber loyalty.
Given all these advantages, it is not surprising that video streaming has had such an impact in the north of Europe. Additionally, because this video consumption mechanism has received such a warm welcome, it is estimated that the number of people taking advantage of it will grow in the coming years.
A more competitive market
The potential of video streaming has caused the market to become increasingly competitive. Therefore, it won’t be a surprise to find partnerships and collaborations between different streaming platforms. Furthermore, it is likely that many will be available worldwide.
Netflix, for example, spent millions of dollars in 2018 for original European content. So, it is not surprising to find their proprietary series and movies on their platform and nowhere else. A venture that has turned the company not only into the premier video streaming pioneer, but also the first to have such a huge number of loyal followers.
HBO joined the video streaming fray as a competitor to Netflix by offering one of the most in demand series of its day, Game of Thrones (Netflix does not have it.) This prompted many people to sign up to the service for the 2-week free trial period, and HBO was able to turn many of those trial users into loyal customers. Currently, it features a section for children.
Amazon Prime Video also embraced the idea of video streaming, giving additional benefits to customers who buy via their web site. They offer one-day free shipment for anyone who is already a client and offer unlimited photo storage on Amazon Drive.
Disney+ and Apple TV+ were the mostly eagerly awaited of the new entrants. Expectations are high for these players; it’s hoped they’ll meet what is expected from such well-established brands. As we have seen, there is increasing competition and therefore there are even greater demands on video streaming in general.
Viasat’s Viaplay is notable among the local television operators that offer streaming video. It is available in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Ukraine, and Russia. Although it offers movies, sports, and TV series, its distinctive feature is that it delivers an on-demand video service.
A similar video streaming platform is Comcast’s Sky, headquartered in the United Kingdom. Its content is also on-demand, but it has compelling pay channels like Fox, AXN, and Nickelodeon. They also give their customers a Sky TV Box to turn their televisions into SmartTVs. Interesting stuff, no?
Sanoma’s Ruutu is also crashing onto the scene. This video streaming network, considered to be the largest in Finland, includes not only television news programs, movies, sports, and other content, but also offers “genre kits” like emotion, drama, reality, and lifestyle.
C More is another video streaming platform and it has 2 options: C More TV4 gives you access to movies, cartoons, and ad-free programs; and C More provides full sports access including the Spanish league, Swedish national football, Swedish and foreign leagues, etc. As we can see, there are several options that compete by offering different monthly subscription services.
Video streaming will continue to see expanding success. Although all eyes are currently looking to northern Europe, it is highly likely — given the competitive market resulting from this new viewing mechanism — that its success will spread to other parts of the world.
Video streaming has become profitable for businesses and a useful, easy and eye-catching resource for those who put it to use. So, we will closely, and eagerly, follow the progress video streaming makes.
