What media distribution trends should you watch?

1 OTT Streaming

Over-the-top (OTT) streaming refers to the delivery of media content over the internet, without the need for a cable or satellite subscription. OTT streaming has become increasingly popular among consumers, especially during the pandemic, as it offers more convenience, choice, and control over what they watch. OTT streaming also provides media producers with more flexibility, creativity, and data insights, as they can bypass traditional gatekeepers and reach their audience directly. However, OTT streaming also poses some challenges, such as increased competition, fragmentation, and piracy. Therefore, media producers need to be aware of the best practices and platforms for OTT streaming, and how to differentiate their content and monetize their audience.

2 Social Media Video

Social media video is another dominant trend in media distribution, as it allows media producers to leverage the power and reach of social networks to promote and distribute their content. Social media video can take various forms, such as live streaming, short-form videos, stories, reels, and podcasts. Social media video can help media producers to increase their visibility, engagement, and loyalty among their audience, as well as to generate feedback, referrals, and conversions. However, social media video also requires media producers to adapt to the specific features, algorithms, and preferences of each platform, and to create content that is relevant, authentic, and interactive.

3 Interactive Media

Interactive media is a type of media that allows the audience to participate and influence the content, rather than just consume it passively. Interactive media can include elements such as branching narratives, choices, quizzes, polls, games, and augmented reality. Interactive media can enhance the media distribution experience, as it can make the content more immersive, personalized, and memorable for the audience. Interactive media can also increase the retention, satisfaction, and advocacy of the audience, as well as the data collection and analysis of the media producers. However, interactive media also demands more resources, skills, and innovation from the media producers, as they need to design and deliver content that is engaging, intuitive, and adaptable.

4 Mobile Optimization

Mobile optimization is the process of ensuring that your media content is accessible, functional, and appealing on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile optimization is essential for media distribution, as more and more people use mobile devices to access and consume media content. Mobile optimization can improve the performance, usability, and accessibility of your media content, as well as the satisfaction and loyalty of your audience. Mobile optimization can also help you to reach new and diverse audiences, especially in emerging markets where mobile devices are the primary mode of internet access. However, mobile optimization also requires you to consider the technical, design, and content aspects of your media production, such as loading speed, screen size, layout, and format.

5 Content Marketing

Content marketing is the strategy of creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience, and to drive profitable action. Content marketing is not a new trend, but it is still a vital one for media distribution, as it can help you to establish your authority, credibility, and trust among your audience. Content marketing can also help you to educate, inform, and entertain your audience, as well as to solve their problems, answer their questions, and inspire their actions. However, content marketing also requires you to plan, produce, and measure your content effectively, as well as to align it with your goals, audience, and brand.

6 Data Analytics

Data analytics is the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to gain insights and make decisions. Data analytics is a key component of media distribution, as it can help you to understand your audience, their behavior, and their preferences. Data analytics can also help you to optimize your media production, distribution, and monetization, as well as to test, evaluate, and improve your content and strategies. However, data analytics also requires you to have the right tools, methods, and skills to collect, manage, and use data ethically, accurately, and effectively.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?