More Premium Content Available Digitally in U.S.

MONTEREY: Popular and critically acclaimed films and TV shows have become more digitally accessible in the U.S. than in previous years, according to a new SNL Kagan report.

The new study, titled U.S. Availability of Film and TV Titles in the Digital Age, found that 98 percent of premium films and 94 percent of premium TV series were digitally available on at least one of the 33 online VOD distributors and 14 TV Everywhere on-demand services reviewed. In the digital VOD market, 97 percent of premium films were digitally available on at least one of the online VOD services reviewed, up from 94 percent in 2013.

The report also found that 93 percent of premium TV series were digitally available on at least one of the online VOD services reviewed. That figure is up from 85 percent in 2013.

On TV Everywhere on-demand services, 96 percent of premium films and 82 percent of premium TV series were digitally available on at least one service. Additionally, 95 percent of premium films and 84 percent of premium TV series were digitally available on at least five of the online services reviewed.

Wade Holden, research analyst with S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “Content creators and providers have truly embraced digital delivery. According to our research, premier content is highly accessible online for consumers, which is paramount in driving the growth of digital home video. This space is not dominated by one player, but rather, the majority of the content is available from at least five sources. Consumers now have access to major motion pictures and TV series in the palms of their hands in a number of ways, whether it’s through the iTunes or Google Play stores, Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime app or the TV Everywhere services. This competitive landscape has led to an explosion of choices for consumers both in terms of the types of content available and variety of pricing structures.”