What are examples of AVOD?

There are many content platforms that use AVOD as a method of monetization. Some platforms are a mix of different monetization types. Here are some AVOD/video on demand examples. Crunchyroll DailyMotion YouTube Hulu 4OD It is becoming more common to see broadcasters and content owners offering a mix of VOD, SVOD, and AVOD options to viewers. This is another thing to keep an eye open for when choosing your platform as a content creator.

How to Use TVOD for Your Business + the Best TVOD Platforms

Q: Is Netflix a TVOD?

Netflix is an SVOD platform that allows viewers to subscribe for a monthly cost. Viewers then gain access to a whole range of different video content stored online. As Netflix doesn’t broadcast live content, it wouldn’t be considered a TVOD platform that charges users for individual instances of live broadcasters.

Q: What is the difference between TVOD vs. SVOD?

TVOD is a monetization method that allows viewers to pay for specific live content that they want to watch. This is usually live pay-per-view events as it is one piece of premium live content. SVOD is a monetization method that allows viewers to pay a subscription to access a library of content. This is how Netflix and Disney+ work allowing paying subscribers to access a wide range of content such as TV shows and movies.

There are many acronyms associated with live streaming which can easily become confusing! VOD, AVOD, SVOD and now TVOD. So what exactly is TVOD, and which features should you look for when choosing between different TVOD platforms?

Before we get started, let’s define some of the most popular streaming acronyms to clear up any confusion, and cover the popular types of video on demand.

VOD Vs. AVOD Vs. SVOD Vs. TVOD

VOD

VOD stands for video on demand. This is a stored online video that viewers can access at any time without the need for a subscription. This content is accessed over the internet and can be viewed for free in most cases. Based on this are the different VOD models below.

AVOD

AVOD stands for advertising-based video on demand. This type of content uses advertisements as a form of monetization. This allows the user to still view the content for free but makes money via advertisements. Not everyone likes the idea of having ads in their videos, but it can still be a good option to keep in mind.

SVOD

SVOD, or subscription video on demand, is a very popular solution. You are probably familiar with this model as it is what Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV use in order to monetize video content. Viewers get access to multiple videos as part of a monthly subscription fee.

TVOD

So what is TVOD’s meaning? TVOD, or transactional video on demand, means viewers pay to access the specific content they watch. You can think of this as a pay-per-view method for monetization geared towards sports, live shows, and other one-time events.

The TVOD model in detail

The benefit of TVOD is that it allows the viewer to choose only the specific content that they want to watch.

The TVOD model can be implemented by broadcasters in a few different ways.

Allow viewers to purchase the content and have permanent access to it online
Allow viewers to purchase content to be viewed within a timed window
Allow viewers to download content for offline viewing

The fact that your audience can choose which specific piece of content to pay for as well as there being no recurring subscription costs make TVOD a popular method of monetization in certain situations.

TVOD example

For example, here is how you can do this using StreamingVideoProvider. Imagine you are streaming a live concert. You can:

Enable pay per view (PPV) for this event in the dashboard. This will show a pop-up window, allowing people to purchase a ticket within the video player and watch the live event. If you want, you can also enable cloud recording and viewers will be able to watch the event on-demand a the same URL for an unlimited time or until you delete the recording.
Enable pay per view and cloud recording but set a time limit, allowing viewers to watch the recording for a specific amount of time.
Finally, you can enable pay per view, cloud recording, and downloading. This will allow your viewers to download the recording to watch on their devices.

What type of content is best suited for the TVOD model?

TVOD is well-suited to a wide range of content. Live content such as sporting events, conferences, and shows can all work well as TVOD. These can be one-off spectacles that are only viewable through pay per view. With big events such as boxing matches, many viewers prefer to pay to watch the action live rather than at a later date when the results could be spoiled.

eLearning platforms also can use TVOD to sell access to specific module presentations or lectures. This content can then also be available via SVOD afterward (subscriptions). The good thing about this is that students can access bought content as many times as they like or even download it for offline viewing.

Here is a table showing how broadcasters typically configure and use the different types of monetization models.

	Access Level	Downloads	Basic Live Content	PPV	Advertisements	Watch Any Time
VOD	Free	✘	✔	✘	✘	✔
AVOD	Free	✘	✔	✘	✔	✔
SVOD	Subscription	✔	✘	✘	✘	✔
TVOD	One-off	✘	✔	✔	✘	Possible via cloud recording /SVOD

Which monetization option should I choose?

The type of monetization method you should choose depends on the type of content you are creating and your publishing frequency. If you are looking to grant access to a wide range of premium content without advertisements, SVOD would be a good fit for you. Although that is slowly changing as large streaming platforms like Amazon Prime reveal plans to add commercials to the lowest-tier subscription plans. But, who knows, you may create a popular streaming platform by avoiding that…

If you are creating new content on a budget with a small audience, AVOD can be a good option. This allows your viewers to watch your content for free while still generating income via ad revenue. People are used to free content + ads, e.g. YouTube.

If you are new to content creation and want to get some initial content online, VOD would be a good starting point. Keep in mind that you can always monetize this content in the future.

If you are mainly focused on selling pay-per-view access to live events, TVOD will be a perfect fit for your content.

What to look for in a TVOD provider

It can seem overwhelming trying to choose between different TVOD providers with so many different features. That is why we decided to list some of the key features to look out for when deciding on the right platform for you.

Security

When choosing your TVOD provider, security should be one of the first things you consider. The best pay-per-view platforms will offer 2FA (two-factor authentication) which makes your content more secure and stops ticket sharing.

Other features, such as domain, IP, and GEO whitelisting, are also worth looking out for. This will allow you to have more control over your content and who is able to view it.

PPV Features

You will also want to make sure the TVOD pay-per-view features on offer are suitable for your content and monetization requirements. You may also want a platform that supports SVOD content so that you can charge a different rate for viewers to access recordings of your live shows.

Scalability

Things rarely stay the same and your business and live streams are no different! You may currently only be looking to monetize live broadcasters infrequently. With time though, you will likely be increasing the number of events you stream to audiences. You will also have developed a large back catalog of content that would be suitable to include in an SVOD playlist.

You want to make sure your provider is able to scale along with you and not get in the way of your growth as a content creator.

No hidden fees

When starting out, you will be looking to save as much money as you can by finding a provider with great value. This means looking for platforms that offer a ton of features at a reasonable price. One thing to consider though is hidden fees.

Some TVOD providers will charge per transaction, or charge other fees you may not have been anticipating. With TVOD providers such as StreamingVideoProvider, there are no hidden fees meaning you can keep 100% of the revenue generated through the platform.

HTML 5 white-label video players

Having an HTML-5 video player means that your streams will be compatible across a wide range of devices and platforms. This is important because you want to reach as much of your audience as possible without any obstacles that may limit ticket sales.

White-label players also allow you to fully customize and brand the player. This means that it can integrate them seamlessly with your existing website, appearing consistent with your brand identity.

Top TVOD Platforms For Business

StreamingVideoProvider

StreamingVideoProvider is an all-encompassing platform that enables content creators to easily launch pay-per-view streaming, VODs, subscription services, and custom advertisements. With its quick setup for paywalls, robust video CMS suitable for both novices and professionals, and advanced security features like 2FA, geo, and IP blocking, it's designed to cater to a wide range of streaming needs. StreamingVideoProvider boasts a global video CDN with the ability to stream with low latency anywhere, even in Mainland China.

Key Features

Live stream and video-on-demand support
Monetization and PPV options ranging from rentals PPV to custom ads and full subscription access
2FA — prevents ticket sharing and keeps your content safe
Advanced video CMS that enables you to update files in bulk and automate repeating tasks
White-label HTML5 video player — make it your own with ease
Cloud recording — store streamed content for later viewing
Adaptive streaming — delivers content optimally to all devices
Keep 100% of your earnings — no hidden fees or additional charges
Powerful and reliable global CDN, including coverage for Mainland China
Multistreaming — Live stream to multiple social media sites at once

Reviews

4.7 out of 5

“We have been using SVP for a couple of years now, and we can only say the service keeps on getting better.”

Pricing

All plans include multistreaming (restreaming) capabilities. Plans start from $39/mo. You can try any plan for free for 14 days.

Dacast

Dacast is another TVOD platform offering monetization through SVOD and live streaming, with options like pay per view and advertisements. It features a video content management system for storing and bulk uploading, alongside adaptive bitrate streaming and cloud recording for on-demand access. Dacast provides global CDN coverage, including Mainland China, and supports white-label video player customization.

Key Features

SVOD and PPV monetization options
Live streaming support
Video content management system for efficient file storage and bulk uploads
Adaptive bitrate streaming for optimal viewer experiences across devices
Cloud recording capabilities to store streamed content for later viewing

Reviews

4.4 out of 5

“Overall a very positive experience and has transformed our business, especially through the Pandemic.”

Pricing

Dacast's pricing ranges from $39/month for the Starter plan with 2.4 TB yearly bandwidth to the $165/month Scale plan with 24 TB yearly bandwidth.

Muvi

Muvi is a comprehensive streaming platform supporting on-demand content, live streaming, and e-learning with virtual classrooms and webinars. It's versatile for creators, offering various monetization strategies. Muvi emphasizes content security with DRM, watermarking, and basic security features to protect intellectual property.

Key Features

Diverse monetization strategies, including subscriptions and pay-per-view
Video CMS for content management
Digital Rights Management (DRM) and watermarking for content security
Customizable video player options
On-demand video and live streaming support

Reviews

4.4 out of 5

“The platform has lots of different features and most of them work well, I also like that they constantly add new features to the platform.”

Pricing

Pricing starts with the Standard package at $399/mo + $299 /mo per app + Infra Fees.

Backlight

Backlight provides a platform for distributing, managing, and monetizing video content, offering both on-demand and live streaming services. It's particularly strong with its content management system, enabling easy importing and bulk editing within a user-friendly interface. While Backlight is flexible in monetization, it falls short in branding opportunities due to the lack of a white-label player and limited content control options, with its pricing also being a consideration for potential users.

Key Features

On-demand and live streaming services
Flexible monetization options, including TVOD and subscription packages
Robust content management system
Limited branding options with no white-label player
Fewer content control options

Reviews

4.3 out of 5

“The best part of Backlight is their very well documented and extensible API.”

Pricing

Pricing is upon request. There is also a trial available which gives you access to the features for a limited time.

Brightcove

Brightcove is a comprehensive TVOD platform geared towards larger organizations, offering a reliable global CDN (excluding China) to deliver SVOD and live streaming content efficiently. It's equipped with adaptive streaming technology and a variety of monetization package options to cater to diverse business needs. While Brightcove stands out for its robust infrastructure and multistreaming capabilities, it may be less suitable for smaller teams or individual content creators due to its scale and complexity.

Key Features

Global CDN excluding China
TVOD for live streaming monetization
Adaptive streaming capabilities
Multistreaming capabilities
Global CDN for reliable content delivery

Reviews

4 out of 5

“Brightcove has an intuitive user interface that allows you to easily upload and manage your video content.”

Pricing

The entry-level pricing for Brightcove's services begins at $199 monthly, typically with an annual commitment.

Netflix is an SVOD platform that allows viewers to subscribe for a monthly cost. Viewers then gain access to a whole range of different video content stored online. As Netflix doesn’t broadcast live content, it wouldn’t be considered a TVOD platform that charges users for individual instances of live broadcasters.

There are many content platforms that use AVOD as a method of monetization. Some platforms are a mix of different monetization types. Here are some AVOD/video on demand examples.

Crunchyroll
DailyMotion
YouTube
Hulu
4OD

It is becoming more common to see broadcasters and content owners offering a mix of VOD, SVOD, and AVOD options to viewers. This is another thing to keep an eye open for when choosing your platform as a content creator.

TVOD is a monetization method that allows viewers to pay for specific live content that they want to watch. This is usually live pay-per-view events as it is one piece of premium live content.

SVOD is a monetization method that allows viewers to pay a subscription to access a library of content. This is how Netflix and Disney+ work allowing paying subscribers to access a wide range of content such as TV shows and movies.

If you are a content creator who hosts regular live events, TVOD may be a great fit for you. You might be hesitant to start your own TVOD offering as it’s easy to think that it's a long complicated process. The fact is, it’s actually very simple to use a platform such as StreamingVideoProvider.

With our powerful CMS, all you have to do is use our easy-to-use visual interface to configure the various options and preferences displayed. You won’t even need to worry about selling tickets from a website as your audience can easily buy access directly from our customizable video player.

StreamingVideoProvider looks after all of the complicated stuff so you can focus on doing what you do best — making great content!

Conclusion

The best monetization method to use for your content depends highly on your content, upload frequency, and whether you broadcast live events.

The great thing about TVOD as a monetization method is that your audience only pays for the content that they want to watch. With other options such as SVOD, there may be a lot of content that the user isn’t interested in leaving them feeling like it isn’t worth paying for.

With that being said, it is important to choose a platform that allows for as many monetization types as possible. This is to ensure that you can branch out and monetize future content in different ways without limiting yourself to just one model.

The TVOD platform that you choose should be secure (offering features such as 2FA), as well as having zero hidden fees that could sneak up on you. Also having a white-label customizable player can grant a professional touch to the appearance of your content, and give you an edge over the competition.

You should now have a better understanding of AVOD TVOD and SVOD. You should also now know what to look for when choosing between TVOD and subscription video on demand platforms.