Linda Nelson

Netflix Competitors Can Only Play Catch-Up

The biggest issue for Netflix will be to provide a huge library of content for its streaming customers. As an independent filmmaker and distributor of a small library, I've seen how difficult it is for content owners to get their films up on the Netflix site. They need to find a way to open up the floodgates and make all that great independent product available to their customers. This will help keep them in the lead - otherwise, platforms that embrace the diversity of content available, to feed the shattered niche markets, with great independent content from the endless shelf, will quickly take over. There are great sites that stream wonderful independent film like Indiepix.com, Jaman, Caachi.com and even Amazon.com's VOD service. Like iTunes, these sites will find that people are more than happy to spend a few bucks to see great film, rather than the dumbed down, mass appeal tentpoles that the studios must make to protect their bottom line.