At allrites, we don’t just help platforms get content—we help them make the right choices. Whether it’s a new streaming service trying to figure out what will attract subscribers or an established platform looking for fresh programming, we go beyond just selling content. We’re in the trenches with our clients, offering guidance on what works, what doesn’t, and how to get the best return on investment.
A big part is understanding the balance between premium, and tier-three content. Every platform wants high-quality titles, but budgets matter; sometimes, the most brilliant move isn’t what you’d expect. Our Customer Success team always hears these questions, so we asked them for the most common ones and brought in our Chief Content Officer, Chris Beaver, to tackle them.
Who is Chris Beaver?
Chris has spent years making smart deals and shaping content programming strategies for streaming platforms and channels. Before joining allrites, he spent over a decade at Showtime Networks, negotiating major licensing agreements and managing content categories that brought in over 1,000% annual returns. He’s also developed and launched over 30 unique programming projects.
Now, he brings that experience to allrites, helping platforms build strong content strategies that fit their goals and budgets.
So, let’s get into it. Chris answers the questions our team hears the most about programming different tiers of content.
Question 1: Is premium content more critical for a streaming platform, or is it a better strategy to have a bundle of tier-three content?
Premium content stands above everything else. When you think about the most prominent platforms a consumer would subscribe to, Apple TV+ comes to mind. They traffic specifically in premium content. And by that, I mean everything they put on their platform is done in hopes of landing a home run.
And, you know, they’re Apple. They’ve got great stuff. I happen to appreciate Apple TV+.
But if you’re starting your platform, the budget is an important element. With tier-three content, you can get way more of it. And one of the positives of tier-three content is the return on investment—it’s just a better ratio of what you’re spending to what you’re getting in subscriber engagement.
So yeah, it’s always a good idea to stack up on tier-three content. Ideally, you’d have both. But if you’re not a mega-corporation with a vast streaming budget, you probably want to put a lot of your nuts into having a good amount of tier-three content that speaks directly to your subscribers.
Question 2: Should a genre-specific platform (e.g., faith-based) include content outside that genre?
The short answer is yes, but smartly. You want to ensure that whatever content you put on your platform makes sense to your audience. For example, if I subscribe to a faith-based platform, I don’t expect—or want—to see violent horror movies pop up in my recommendations. That’s just a total mismatch.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t expand a little. Maybe a family-friendly PG-rated rom-com aligns with your audience’s expectations. That makes sense. The same thing is true if you’ve got a horror platform—you might be okay experimenting with some sci-fi.
And the great thing about working with allrites is that you can experiment. You can swap content out every month, test different genres, and see what works. If you have a horror platform, try adding some sci-fi if people engage. Great! If not, subscribers start wondering, why is this sci-fi on my horror platform?—then you just pull it. No harm was done.
Question 3: If I’m starting a streaming platform with a limited budget, should I go for tier-three or premium content?
I touched on this earlier, but ideally, you want both. You want premium content—at least a few recognizable titles that help with marketing, something that people immediately recognize. Then, you want a whole bunch of content that keeps subscribers engaged and gives them the experience they’re looking for.
But if I had to choose? Look, when you’re on a budget, you need volume. Often, what you’re selling isn’t just a movie—you’re selling the experience of being on the platform. You’re selling the feeling of, Okay, I now subscribe to a faith-based platform, and anytime I want to watch faith-based programming, I’ve got options.
Same thing with horror—if you’re a horror fan, you don’t just want two or three movies. You want access to everything within that genre.
Again, ROI will almost always be better with tier-three content. If I had to pick one over the other, I’d go with tier three. But yeah, premium content is always great. It drives attention, builds credibility, and is a great tool when you can afford it.
Question 4: If I launch a new streaming platform, should I lead with premium content or load up on tier-three content to attract subscribers?
The key part of this question is that you’re launching a platform. This means you’re at the starting line, trying to get people in the door. In that case, there are two things to consider:
Do you already have an audience? If you’re launching from scratch, with no built-in awareness, it will take time to build your subscriber base.
What’s your budget? Premium content is expensive—so do you have the budget to lead with it?
If you’re starting cold—no built-in audience, no central marketing budget—you’ll want to focus on tier-three content first. Build a library, attract subscribers, and introduce premium content a few months later.
But if you have awareness, you’re a big name in your industry, or you’re a celebrity launching a platform, premium content might be the way to go. It might be exclusive, something people can’t get anywhere else, and that can be a powerful draw.
But again, that comes with a hefty price tag. And unless you have the budget to sustain it, you’re probably better off going with tier-three content first and then layering in premium titles over time.
About allrites
allrites is a premier marketplace for buying and selling film and TV rights. We provide a vast catalogue of Film and TV content, from major studios to independent producers, available in any language and genre. Our innovative licensing models, including allrites Content-as-a-Service, offer flexible and efficient solutions for content monetization and acquisition, accommodating the evolving needs of content buyers and sellers worldwide.
Contact us to learn more about us and our revolutionary CaaS model.
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