Introduction
For years, streaming was seen as the holy grail of indie filmmaking. But today, more and more independent filmmakers are ditching platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime in favor of Pay-Per-View (PPV) and direct-to-audience sales.
Why? Because streaming is crushing their earnings, burying their films, and stripping them of ownership rights.
In this blog, we explore why PPV is becoming the preferred model for indie filmmakers.
1. Streaming Pays Pennies for Thousands of Views
📉 Streaming Royalties vs. Direct Sales
Most streaming platforms pay indie filmmakers a one-time fee or a fraction of a penny per stream.
✔ Example: Some AVOD platforms (like Tubi) pay around $0.001 per ad view, meaning a film with 100,000 views might only earn a few hundred dollars.
💡 PPV Advantage: With a Pay-Per-View model, if 100,000 people paid $5 per rental, the filmmaker would earn $500,000 instead of pennies.
2. Indie Films Are Lost in a Sea of Content
🚨 Netflix Releases Hundreds of Movies Annually
The massive amount of content on streaming platforms makes discovery impossible for indie films.
✔ Example: Netflix’s recommendation algorithm prioritizes its own high-budget productions, making it difficult for smaller films to gain traction.
💡 PPV Advantage: On a PPV platform, every movie is marketed as a premium product, giving independent films a fair chance to be seen.
3. Filmmakers Are Taking Back Control with Direct Sales
🛑 Streaming = No Long-Term Earnings
Once an indie film is bought by a streaming platform, it stops generating revenue for the filmmaker.
🎬 PPV Success Stories
Some independent filmmakers are making 6-figure incomes by selling their movies on PPV platforms like Vimeo On Demand, iWire Films, and even their own websites.
✔ Example: Comedians like Louis CK and Andrew Schulz bypassed streaming platforms and made millions selling their specials directly.
💡 PPV Advantage: Filmmakers retain ownership, control pricing, and maximize profits.
Conclusion: The PPV Model is the Future for Indie Film
Would you rather pay directly to support indie filmmakers or let streaming platforms take the majority of profits?
The Pay-Per-View model empowers filmmakers, allowing them to control their earnings, audience, and future.
