Distribution Choice in Detail

For the distribution of my short film 'Nostalgia', I chose HBO Max to be the main distributor. This streaming service has always focused on creating content with a cinematic feel, which sets it apart from other streaming services, such as Netflix and Disney+. HBO's library is known to consist of critically acclaimed and award-winning shows and movies that attract a wider range of audiences.

Additionally, HBO shines light to diverse work through its innovative categories and personalised content. By showcasing a selection of shows and films based on specific categories, such as 'adrenaline rush' and 'stories like no other', the streaming platform is able to engage its audience to find content that they will enjoy watching. I believe this to be extremely important as it will help my short film to reach the right audience that will be the most effective in drawing positive attention and interest to it. 

Moreover, HBO is known to have a release model that airs episodes weekly, which allows for a communal viewing experience and buzz around each episode. Therefore, this does not only show the platform's ability to increase engagement, it also conveys an attention to detail and understanding of their audience that promotes overall enjoyment of their content and fosters discussions among viewers. 

In comparison to HBO Max, Netflix began to lose many of its subscribers. From a consumer's perspective, I understand that Netflix subscribers are growing tired of the platform's visual blandness and lack of care for the content it puts out. Due to Netflix requiring the same "technical specifications from all its productions", most of its original content is lacking in quality. Additionally, the company's new shows and films are known to replace the good and highly popular content - with Netflix continuing to cancel and remove everyone's favourite titles, such as 'Mindhunter', 'GLOW' and many more. This has left many television fans upset and caused them to launch major online campaigns to save certain titles, with the term "Netflix correct your mistake" trending on Twitter.

Most importantly, Netflix has recently announced that it will begin blocking subscribers from sharing their account passwords with people outside of their household in the coming months. This policy change has angered many viewers which further caused for the streaming platform to see a loss of subscribers. Therefore, I believe that Netflix will not be a good distributor of my short film. 

Furthermore, Disney+ is known to primarily cater to a family-oriented audience with a focus on animated movies and TV shows that lack diversity, as well as content from its subsidiaries such as Marvel and Star Wars. While this appeals to a large demographic, it may not be as attractive to audiences seeking content that challenges conventions - with 45% of all Disney Plus users being under the age of 18. In contrast, HBO Max provides a diverse range of programming that caters to a range of audiences seeking premium content, especially with its shows and movies that tackle complex themes and characters.

Overall, all of this has helped HBO to establish a loyal fanbase that values their programming and makes me believe that this streaming platform is the best choice in distributing 'Nostalgia'. One might think that HBO is not an obvious choice as they have fewer global subscribers than Netflix and its current demographic comprises of Generation X and Millennials - which is not necessarily included in my target audience. However, the film can reach the  children of Generation X - which allows for a wider audience. 

Moreover, HBO Max has seen an upsurge in its audience of young adults with the recent success of 'The Last Of Us' - which drew the second-largest viewership for HBO since 2010 according to Forbes. 


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