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Netflix and Streaming Video is the first book to provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the business of subscriber-funded streaming video and its implications for the role of these services in culture. Drawing on Lotz's two decades of research, it highlights the similarities and differences among streaming video services (Netflix; Amazon) and video distribution technologies (broadcast; satellite; internet).
Making a number of provocative and thought-provoking arguments, the book first reveals how the reliance on subscriber payment and video on demand produces different norms and strategies compared to previous video businesses. It then investigates Netflix and how its particular blend of characteristics distinguishes it from other subscriber-funded video on demand services. The author expertly shows that, by understanding the underlying economic and technological dynamics of these services (and their differences), it is possible to better assess the actions taken by the companies and what the future of video may encompass.
The book is a must-read for students and scholars of Media and Communications Studies, as well as those wishing to learn more about Netflix and streaming video services.
List of contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Figures
Introduction
Section One: Subscriber-funded streaming services are different from linear services
1. Experience: On Schedules and Viewing Practices
2. Building Libraries: Conglomerating Niches and Beyond?
3. Subscriber Funding: On Success Metrics, Program Strategies, and Demographics
4. Licensing, Labour, Regulation, and Recommendation
5. Scale and Specialization
6. The Discrepant Field of Global Services
Section One Conclusion
Section Two: Netflix is not like other subscriber-funded streaming video services
7. Netflix Content Concepts and Vocabulary
8. Netflix Library Strategies
9. Netflix Content Strategies
10. Netflix's Approach to Being Global
Section Two Conclusion
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Amanda D. Lotz is a Professor in the Digital Media Research Centre at Queensland University of Technology.
Summary
Netflix and Streaming Video is the first book to provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the business of subscriber-funded streaming video and its implications for the role of these services in culture. Drawing on Lotz's two decades of research, it highlights the similarities and differences among streaming video services (Netflix; Amazon) and video distribution technologies (broadcast; satellite; internet).
Making a number of provocative and thought-provoking arguments, the book first reveals how the reliance on subscriber payment and video on demand produces different norms and strategies compared to previous video businesses. It then investigates Netflix and how its particular blend of characteristics distinguishes it from other subscriber-funded video on demand services. The author expertly shows that, by understanding the underlying economic and technological dynamics of these services (and their differences), it is possible to better assess the actions taken by the companies and what the future of video may encompass.
The book is a must-read for students and scholars of Media and Communications Studies, as well as those wishing to learn more about Netflix and streaming video services.
Report
'In the chaotic world of television, Amanda Lotz has a keen ability to separate noise from signal. Here she drills into the factors and functions that make subscription streaming services distinctive from one another and put Netflix in a class of its own. This is a must-read for students of and professionals in the TV industry.'
Evan Shapiro, Producer, Media Cartographer, and Professor at Fordham University and NYU
'Amanda Lotz is unparalleled at addressing our most vital questions regarding the global streaming video landscape. With Netflix and Streaming Video, Lotz has also introduced a blog-incubated mode of academic query as essential, iterative, asynchronous, and disruptive as the industries she studies.'
David Craig, USC Annenberg
