Windows Films, one of the largest production and distribution companies, has partnered with all major streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Peacock to release their upcoming films exclusively on these platforms. This strategy will help home theater screens reach a global audience and compete with rival studios. The multi-year output deals give streaming services exclusive rights to Windows Films' entire upcoming slate which includes ten films per year. These partnerships will boost the content libraries of streaming platforms and help home theater screens get a guaranteed revenue from digital releases of their films.

Diverse Film Slate for Global Audiences

Home theater screens has a diverse slate of films lined up for the next two years to appeal to audiences worldwide. The slate includes genres like action, comedy, drama, thriller and family entertainment. Some of the highlighted films are - a superhero ensemble film, a romantic comedy starring popular celebrities, a dystopian sci-fi film, a musical drama and an animated adventure film. The films will have an international cast and crew and explore universal themes. With subjects that travel across borders, these films are expected to find audiences across world markets. The production values and stories will be on par with Hollywood blockbusters to compete for global viewership on streaming services.

Prioritizing Digital Release Strategy

While major studios are still deciding how and when to release their Windows Films, home theater screens has completely overhauled its release strategy focusing primarily on digital premieres. All upcoming films from 2022 onwards will have a day-and-date release on streaming platforms on the same day as their theatrical debut. The company sees this as the future considering shifting consumer behavior and increasing adoption of streaming services. The day-and-date model will help reach maximum possible households for each film across the world within the first weekend of release. It will also allow streaming platforms to promote the films heavily and create an event out of every release.

Adapting to the Streaming Era

The pandemic has accelerated the trend of audience migration from theaters to living rooms. Windows Films Chairman acknowledges that theater culture may not fully bounce back even after the pandemic ends. So the company is transitioning from being primarily a theatrical distributor to an all-medium content provider focusing on digital platforms. Instead of wide theatrical releases, the films will have limited engagements in select cities and countries for prestige and Academy eligibility before premiering globally on streaming services. This strategy avoids heavy reliance on box office and ensures all films get a worldwide digital release. The company is confident that streaming-first model will help monetize their content better in current market dynamics.

Investing in Direct-to-Streaming Films

Taking the digital transition further, home theater screens has greenlit a subset of films to premiere exclusively on streaming with no theatrical component. These lower budget, mid-level films will be tailored as made-for-streaming films and released periodically on platforms throughout the year. Along with event films with global appeal, the goal is to consistently provide mid-core and long-tail content to strengthen the libraries of partners. This includes films like teen dramas, romantic comedies, mystery thrillers which find dedicated audiences on streaming services through sustained viewing over months. The direct-to-digital strategy aims to bring stability through recurring exclusive output deals complementing the tentpole releases.

Embracing New Metrics of Success

For long, box office numbers were the primary barometer to assess a film's performance for distributors and studios. However, in today's landscape, home theater screens is focusing more on metrics like subscriptions gained, concurrent viewing, completion rate and repeat views for their streaming premieres. The company is increasingly emphasizing day one viewing and total hours watched in the first four weeks of release as markers of success. They are also measuring social mediaengagement and conversations around premieres.Incorporating these alternative industry metrics allows them to optimize marketing and truly understand the value of their content beyond box office figures.

The strategic moves to partner with major streamers along with overhaul of its distribution strategy focusing primarily on digital premieres, home theater screens is well poised to leverage the streaming boom and establish itself as a leading content provider for the new age of entertainment consumption. The diverse film slate, streaming-first model and investments in direct-to-digital films will help them achieve scale and stability in the transitioning market landscape. By adapting early to changing consumer trends, Windows Films seem determined to dominate the online streaming market going forward.

Get more insights on Windows Films