The Business of Media Distribution Monetizing Film, TV, and Video Content in an Online World

In this updated edition of the industry staple, veteran media executive Jeff Ulin relates business theory and practice across key global market segments—film, television, and online/digital—providing you with an insider’s perspective that can't be found anywhere else. Learn how an idea moves from concept to profit and how distribution dominates the bottom line: Hollywood stars may make the headlines, but marketing and distribution are the behind-the-scenes drivers converting content into cash. The third edition: Includes perspectives from key industry executives at studios, networks, agencies and online leaders, including Fox, Paramount, Lucasfilm, Endeavor, Tencent, MPAA, YouTube, Amazon, and many more; Explores the explosive growth of the Chinese market, including box office trends, participation in financing Hollywood feature films, and the surge in online usage; Illustrates how online streaming leaders like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, YouTube, Hulu and Facebook are changing the way TV content is distributed and consumed, and in cases how these services are moving into theatrical markets; Analyzes online influences and disruption throughout the distribution chain, and explains the risks and impact stemming from changing access points (e.g., stand-alone apps), delivery methods (over-the-top) and consumption patterns (e.g., binge watching); Breaks down historical film windows, the economic drivers behind them, and how online and digital delivery applications are changing the landscape. Ulin provides the virtual apprenticeship you need to demystify and manage the complicated media markets, understand how digital distribution has impacted the ecosystem, and glimpse into the future of how film and television content will be financed, distributed and watched. An online eResource contains further discussion on topics presented in the book.

Foreword Market Opportunity and Segmentation: The Diverse Role of Studios and Networks Intellectual Property Assets Enabling Distribution: The Business of Creating, Marketing, and Protecting an Idea Financing Production: Studios and Networks as Venture Capitalists Theatrical Distribution The (Non-Download, Non-Streaming) Home Video Business Television Distribution Internet Streaming and On Demand Access: A New Paradigm Matures - On-Demand and Multi-Screen Access, FAANGs+, Cord-Cutting, Online Originals, Cloud Applications, Social Media, Changing How We Watch, Direct from the Creator, and More Ancillary Revenues: Merchandising, Video Games, Hotels, Pay-Per-View and Transactional VOD Roots, Airlines, and Other Markets Marketing Making Money: Net Profits, Hollywood Accounting, and the Relative Simplicity of Online Revenue Sharing References Index

Jeffrey C. Ulin has worked as a media executive, attorney, lecturer, and entrepreneur. Nearly half of his 25+ years in the film and television business were at Lucasfilm, where he headed worldwide distribution for all markets (theatrical, video, TV, online), and managed sales for Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Jeff also co-founded and ran animation studio Wild Brain (where he created Disney’s pre-school hit Higglytown Heroes), helped manage Paramount and Universal’s overseas video joint venture, and used this book to teach the class "Media & Entertainment: Economics, Policy and Strategy" at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.