Bonnier and Unreel Partner to Launch Branded OTT Apps

Unreel is proud to announce our partnership with one of the world’s leading publishers, Bonnier Corporation. By working with Unreel, Bonnier Corp. has already rapidly released a streaming service supported by multi-platform apps for one of their most popular brands, On Two Wheels, a video series focused on motorcycling.

As innovative thought leaders in the publishing industry, Bonnier Corp. has come to consider OTT a key component of their business’s blueprint for long-term success. With the majority of consumers coming to prefer video over text and transitioning their viewing habits to OTT devices, the need to embrace video via an OTT app strategy has become a necessity for publishers. For them, OTT is a can’t miss opportunity and Unreel is the ideal partner to grow both their audience and revenue streams.

“Partnering with Unreel to deploy our own branded apps saved significant time and money, allowing our team to focus on content creation.” -Sean Holtzman, Bonnier

By powering many current and upcoming Bonnier Corp. own-and-operated video streaming apps, Unreel is enabling them to engage and monetize audiences on new digital platforms. As the publishing industry continues to converge with technology, it is clear that leveraging OTT is a vital part of 21st century publisher’s success; connecting and monetizing their audience in a new way (SVOD, VOD, AVOD). Utilizing Unreel’s big data focused OTT solution ensures that Bonnier Corp., and any publisher or network who partner with Unreel, will lead the new digital video landscape.

More about On Two Wheels:

On Two Wheel is the best motorcycle video series on the internet! Watch as Zack Courts and Ari Henning take on the most exciting motorcycle adventures they can find. Whether they’re skidding across the frozen lakes of Wisconsin, riding BMWs through Thailand, or racing Honda Grom’s, they’ll show you how to have fun On Two Wheels. A monthly motorcycle video series including motorcycle video reviews and motorcycle video test.

Click here to download On Two Wheels for tvOS, Roku, iOS and Android.

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How We Would Change The NAB Show

The NAB Show is the cannot miss event for those in the video industry, be their focus on film, television, digital and everything in between. It attracts anyone and everyone who is involved in the process of recording audio and video, editing it, storing it and then distributing it to audiences. As a distribution solution to that equation, we at Unreel have a unique perspective on how the NAB Show could be enhanced; providing a more productive experience for exhibitors and attendees. 

 

Improving the Show comes down to the most cliché’ phrase in the OTT, film, and television industry — Content is king.

 

For an event loaded with exhibitors focused on the process of creating and succeeding with content, one thing is glaringly missing from the expo hall; content. Every piece of the puzzle to win in video is missing except the actual video. There are film festivals and other content focused events happening year round for highlighting content, but they are fragmented and don’t draw as large a crowd focused on video as the NAB garners. Inviting owners of content to exhibit at the event would benefit all attendants, most of whose entire world circles around producing or distributing what else, content.

 

As it currently stands content owners of all kinds, be they networks, filmmakers, or creators, do not exhibit at the NAB. Although they constitute a significant portion of attendees, from the smallest independent creator to the head of a major network, without a booth their only opportunity to participate in the event is by walking. The NAB is overwhelming and even the most ambitious attendee would struggle to make it to all corners of the event and meet with every company relevant to their needs. For owners of content, there is one specific need that they can ill-afford to miss out on exploring every solution for; that is additional distribution. By giving them the chance to exhibit rather than wander, it would simplify the process of connecting content with distribution platforms; be it a new app store, UDN, or means to distribute themselves.

 

How the new and improved NAB Show would work:

 

Just like hardware, software, and services get their own floors at the NAB, so would content owners. Major Networks, the OTT kings (Netflix, Hulu, etc.), and MCN types would be able to have a presence as exhibitors, and show off their content; an asset nearly every one else at the event so desperately wants to get their hands on in some way. Platforms with the need for content, like Unreel, be it for syndication, distribution via an app, or original content, would then be able to target and approach appropriate content owners— rather than waiting and hoping that those content owners just pop up at the platform’s own booth by chance.  At the end of the event content owners who chose to exhibit would have a thorough list of contacts for new opportunities to distribute. It is a win-win for all sides, allowing those with content, always looking for new ways to increase their reach, to connect with platforms desperate for content to deliver to their audiences.

 

To learn more about how Unreel transforming the way owners of content distribute, click here!

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App Spotlight: KNEKT Television

In a society where the entertainment industry and its stars often focus on the material and extraneous, the video network KNEKT is digging deeper.  At the intersection of celebrity, charity, A-list events, and healthy living, KNEKT develops socially conscious content that matters. Driven by their motto, ‘Believe. Connect. Change the World,’ the LA based production company produces world class live and pre-recorded HD broadcasts from exclusive events, concerts, performances, charity galas, fundraisers and red carpet shows, as well as developing and producing film and TV shows with a core theme of conscious content and social good. A winner of the 2016 iMedia Agency Award “Campaign of the Year,” KNEKT is defining what it means to produce content that is as impactful as it is entertaining.

 

Introducing KNEKT Television apps:

KNEKT Television, the exclusive streaming service of KNEKT content, has launched across iOS, tvOS, Roku, and Android with the help of Unreel tech! Here is what to expect from KNEKT Television apps:

 

“KNEKT Television will take you behind the velvet ropes to experience world-class exclusive events, celebrities and social influencers. From concerts, performances, charity galas, fundraisers, red carpet interviews to health and wellness videos, sporting events, environment, animal rights and celebrity news, there is something that matters for you to watch on KNEKT Television. KNEKT Television will entertain, inspire and educate through content that matters with a focus on social good.”

 

Of course KNEKT Television’s website and apps feature the cutting edge UI/UX only Unreel powered apps offer. That includes moment based commenting, an instant GIF/MEME maker to GIF your favorite scenes, and social engagement from around the web. Couple that tech with an incredibly rich and diverse content library keen on delivering a positive message and KNEKT Television is an app you have to have!

 

  

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How to make more money from videos: Syndication

 

For content creators, cashing in on their videos is becoming increasingly difficult. Major companies and their ad dollars, predicted to be worth almost a billion dollars, are fleeing away from YouTube after recent blunders. The platform’s response has been to tighten the rules around what content can be monetized, further hurting YouTubers. There is less money to be had, and it is harder than ever to get past the gatekeeper. Even if you create a monetizable viral hit, it is nearly impossible to keep others from copying the video, and republishing it on Facebook or elsewhere, allowing them to take a significant cut of the revenue you could have generated. In today’s content world, making a business out of your videos means pursuing multiply revenue opportunities. Only mega-creators, who’ve signed lucrative exclusive deals with a specific platform, can rely on distributing their videos to one place. A major part of distributing content to multiple platforms and maximizing revenue for creators now includes syndicating content.

 

Syndicating your content is a simple process that allows your videos to work for you without additional effort. It is important to note the major advantage of syndicating videos is that it in no way affects your current content strategy. You continue along as you would, free to make and distribute content however you choose. Syndicating simply means that the videos you upload to YouTube and Facebook, will also synch with other properties (video streaming apps) who have been given permission to show your videos. When your videos are shown on these properties, ads are placed just as they would be on YouTube or Facebook. Of that ad revenue, you are given a majority cut.

 

Syndication libraries like Unreel’s push out videos to apps with millions of users. When you synch your videos to our content library, they have the opportunity to be seen by millions of new viewers. This means you receive ad revenue without having to do a thing and gain exposure to a massive audience interested in the genre your videos occupy. Those new viewers are often easily converted into fans of your brand, then seeking your content on other platforms.

 

How it works:

 

1. Go to Unreel.me and launch your own video streaming site for free. This can be a destination you market and drive fans to, or a private place, simply used to synch and upload your content. If having your own video streaming service (Think your own Netflix) is something you are interested in, Unreel can also build you video streaming apps for every device to reach your fans wherever they watch.

 

2. Upon creating your site, you will be invited to connect your YouTube and Facebook accounts. By doing so, every video you’ve ever published on those platforms will automatically be imported onto your new site and integrated into Unreel’s syndication library. Any videos you upload to YouTube or Facebook in the future will also automatically be synched.   You also have the option to upload videos directly to your Unreel.me powered site.

 

3. Contact us through the admin and express your interest in syndicating. By creating a site and synching your content you will automatically be added to our syndication marketplace, however by personally letting us know about your desire to syndicate, we can make an effort to push your content out to our partners and our own properties.

 

4. Keep doing what you do. Continue making the videos you enjoy to produce and posting them where you normally would. They will automatically be pulled into our system’s library and be eligible to syndicated to millions of users.

 

Learn more and start earning with syndicated content at Unreel.me!

 

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YouTube is Loosing Creator’s $750 Million Dollars!

In a very short amount of time advertising darling YouTube has taken a fall from grace. The veil has been lifted and companies advertising with the Google owned site have suddenly recognized one of the platform’s most significant shortcoming. Next to wholesome brand campaigns aimed at winning the hearts and minds of consumers is often indecent video content chock-full of violence, misogyny, racism and vulgarities. Unlike traditional marketing channels, where companies can review the content their ads will be coupled with, YouTube is the Wild West. An advertisement for Girl Scout cookies could easily end up as pre-roll for the latest hit Neo-Nazi music video. Or in a very real world example, advertisements from the UK government were appearing next to radicalized terrorist videos. YouTube’s current safeguards attempt to prevent mismatches and block content inappropriate for ads, but they are not always effective. Very public, recent mishaps have left a bad taste in Advertiser’s mouths, leading many blue chip names such as McDonald’s, Toyota, L’Oreal to pull back or completely shut down their YouTube ad spend.

 

In response YouTube is scrambling to beef up their advertising algorithms in an attempt to insure that videos violating their intense monetization criteria are properly flagged and demonetized.  Considering just how stringent the platform’s monetization rules are, it is impossible to make a truly foolproof system to prevent inappropriate content from delivering ads. Google’s most viable solution has been to approach a very intricate problem with a bazooka. They’ve begun to cast a wide net, flagging videos with any sort of questionable content and some without. An unfortunate consequence of this nuclear option is that millions of ad eligible videos are being wrongfully slapped with a demonetization sticker – an issue that is already being noticed and costing creators their livelihood.

 

What this means for creators:

 

The recent controversies surrounding YouTube ads have led to companies cutting their ad spend. The profit pie from which creators can take a slice has shrunk. The platform’s new algorithm is accidentally tagging an alarming number of videos as demonetized, making it harder than ever for YouTubers to even have a chance at crumbs. There is less to be made on ads and to make a bad situation worse; it is harder than ever to get a video approved to deliver ads. It has been predicted that the coinciding of these two phenomena will cost creators over $750 million dollars.^[1] This is surely a hit for YouTube but that sort of revenue loss will be overcome­ – one of the many perks of being owned by the world’s largest company. It is a different story for the 100,000’s of creators impacted, who are suffering an incredibly consequential loss. That sort of cut to ad spend means creators are going to lose money, possibly up to 10% of their already paltry cut. The money they need to pay the bills and put towards creating more content is drying up. This certainly isn’t the end of YouTube, but it is a reminder that relying solely on the platform for monetizing content is risky business.

 

Alternative revenue streams:

 

It is not your fault abhorrent videos on YouTube are going to cost you dollars. Take your content’s destiny into your own hands. As a creator you have options to self distribute your videos, no longer relying on a platform such as YouTube that take a significant portion of your revenue. By launching your own video streaming service (think your own Netflix or HULU) you can take your fan base and revenue to the next level. You can still enable ads that will start delivering automatically, however now you get to keep the vast majority of payout, instead of ceding YouTube’s huge cut. You also have the option to sell your content as a subscription service or with video on demand, once again allowing you to keep nearly all the profits. In addition to increased monetization opportunities, having your own video streaming service allows you take control of your fan base by collecting their emails, opening up marketing opportunities and the chance to nurture your relationship with them.

With Unreel.me you can instantly launch your own video streaming service for free and then roll out custom branded apps for every smart device. Unreel’s ad partnerships ensures when you enable ads, you will deliver ads with higher payouts than on any other platform; payouts you keep the lion’s share of. Monetize with SVOD, VOD, and merchandise as well. Using Unreel there is no commitment and you can continue your activities on YouTube and other platforms as you currently do. If you are looking for an additional way to profit from your content brand and continue to grow it, Unreel is the platform for you!

 

Click Here to Launch your video streaming service instantly!

 

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Publishers and Impending Video Doom: a survival guide.

Consumers have become zombies, hungry to zone-out on video content, how can print first publishers survive?

A sea-change is occurring in the digital content landscape, posing an extinction-level threat to the publishing industry. Video is on a path to become the dominant form of content consumed. It is predicted that by 2019, 80% of Internet traffic will be video.^[1]  As attention spans continue to dwindle below that of a studious goldfish and consumers become increasingly stubborn to engage, video is dethroning all other content as king. Two thirds of millennials would rather watch than read to get information, a number that is skyrocketing with each successive generation.^[2]  If publishers do not heavily invest in video and an OTT distribution strategy to fortify their brands, judgment day may be swiftly approaching for this centuries-old industry.

 

If content is King, video has become a Deity.

Two decades ago, publishers faced a similarly bleak outlook. Their industry was in peril due to a rapid shift in technology; the transition from print to digital. The Internet became ubiquitous and consumer preferences for content consumption turned from ink to screens. Pundits and insiders feared the collapse of the entire industry was imminent as the masses turned almost exclusively to the cyber-world for information. Rather than dissolving into irrelevance, publishers pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and rapidly developed a business model to reflect a digital first mindset. Magazines were made available digitally and their websites became vibrant communities of new information generating tremendous traffic. The publishing industry endured a systematic change in the way content is consumed, pioneering lucrative new revenue streams in the process.

 

Once again positioned at a similarly transformative juncture, most publishers’ path to prosperity is clear – evolve or die. Established magazine brands equipped with millions of subscribers and strong name recognition are fortuitously positioned to capitalize on the emerging OTT video ecosystem – an ecosystem made possible by the fall of cable and the rise of unbundled content.

 

Publishers’ built in fanbases are thirsty for niche’ videos produced by their favorite magazines. Aided by years of expertise in their respective field, magazines should not find developing video content of value a challenge, nor should encouraging their passionate fans to download branded video streaming apps. For the publishers with a pliable distribution strategy, the threat of video is merely a chance to lead OTT’s wave of creative destruction and leave the cadavers of slow-to-adapt competitors in their wake.

 

How to Capitalize:

Publishers know the content game. Let Unreel, a member and approved vendor of the MPA, take care of the distribution. Rapidly launch video streaming services for each of your brands with custom apps across every platform. Instantly ingest video content you already have from any source and upload new exclusive content directly to your properties. Don’t have a deep video library? Unreel can provide you with premium content in your genre from our extensive syndication library. Manage your empire from a single admin and monetize content however you would like, be it with subscriptions, ads or VOD. Unreel is already working with some of the worlds largest publishers to power their OTT strategy.

 

Check out Bonnier Corporation’s Unreel powered apps ‘On Two Wheels’ and the Enthusiast network’s ‘Recoil’ apps to see prime examples of what Unreel is able to do for publishers in a short amount of time.

 

To learn more how Unreel can help your magazine brands develop a video OTT strategy click here!

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Why we decided to offer free OTT cloud hosting

Charging to host content just doesn’t make sense to us.

 

If you shop around looking for a turnkey OTT service you will find many companies offering similar cookie-cutter solutions. To work with them you request basic video streaming apps, wait an undisclosed amount of time as they are built, upload your videos, launch your properties and sell content. What you will also find is a costly fee each month based on data used to host your videos in the cloud. This charge to store your content on their servers can quickly escalate to a small fortune if you are trying to scale a network with an immense video library. To the OTT providers it seems fair; server space is an expense that can easily be passed on to the customers. This policy also serves as insurance; if they are so lucky as to bag a substantial partner, charging based on storage space used allows them to leach off of their costumer’s size, meaning they do not miss out on extra profits when working with established brands. This model for cloud hosting on OTT essentially penalizes the content owner for adding content, curbing them from taking necessary steps to make their apps profitable.

 

Why would you hurt your partner’s chance at success?

For Unreel, the decision to offer free OTT cloud hosting was easy. Our number one concern is our partner’s OTT app’s success.  In that vein, one of our main focuses is to guide our partner’s content strategy. Being across all platforms on your own video streaming apps is meaningless if those apps lack content that entices fans to use them every day. A great driver of effective content strategy is offering an extensive reserve of videos. The more content to discover on a property, the longer a user will stay, increasing ad viewership, further developing their relationship with your brand, and providing additional opportunities to cross promote your other brands or properties. When you engage fans on an app loaded with an overwhelming supply of content, fans consistently return because there is always something new for them to watch.

 

Upload terabytes of video without spending a dime.

 

 To us it makes absolutely no sense to discourage our partners from bulk uploading videos to develop a deep content inventory. By bearing the brunt of cloud hosting expenses ourselves, we free up our partners to shape their content strategy around making their video streaming service the best experience for users. Whether we are working with a single content creator who has 100’s of videos or a major network with a content catalogue that goes back decades, they both pay the same for hosting – nothing.  Unhindered by the fear of raising their overhead, Unreel partners are more effective at launching OTT apps that are built for long term success.

 

 

Click here to learn about Unreel.me’s free hosting and launch OTT apps of your own!

 

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