Streaming really isn't difficult to setup. HBO can do anything it wants.
I stream 4K on the HBOMAX app on my Roku so I'm not sure what you're talking about. I could set-up a basic streaming service in a couple of month's time. Would it work as good as Ultraflix? Probably not.... But my resources are limited. I'm sure any company with a moderate budget could put something together fairly quickly. Getting it on the platforms would take more time, but not a ton of time.
I'm unsure we have anything we could offer another company unless they are too lazy to set up something themselves. Our best asset is time.
We could offer a company a platform instantly instead of months of setup.
Our best bet would be contacting some of the more indie labels for a partnership to remaster films in 4k for physical release in exchange for the rights to digitally stream it... Or simply saying our scan can only be used on Ultraflix. Or doing some sort of % split.
We were originally interested in remastering films, but I haven't seen anything in 3-4 years.... Hamy left right? A basic remaster is at least a type of exclusivity other platforms can't offer. Regardless of how old the film is.
If I was Dave I'd do the following.
I'd try to work out a deal to remaster at least 5 older titles each month.
I'd contact companies like Lionsgate and ShoutFactory/Arrow. Lionsgate number 1 because they've released very few films even in 1080p. ShoutFactory because they handle all of the popular/cult films on Bluray. They don't currently do streaming or 4K physical. Actually Arrow might have just started. What about the Weinstein titles? Who bought those? Most don't have HD presentation. There are so many popular older titles that could be utilized.
NTEK would supervise the scanning of film elements and get it ready for physical release. In exchange, they would get an exclusive deal on the streaming rights. This way the film company is getting something upfront which removes the risk.
I would not focus on new releases until the older titles are established.
We should be the Criterion of streaming. High-quality releases.
Not the "amount," but having 4-5 titles each month that an average user would spend money on.
I actually think it would be a better business plan offering just 5 rotating films each month than offering thousands of mid-level titles that don't really look better than other platforms. We'd essentially be a digital movie theatre for remastered titles.
Obviously the company is small so we can't handle large restorations "without help," but there are still a ton of films that haven't had properly blu-ray releases. There are thousands of films that could easily be scanned and mastered to 4K.
We are talking film, but should also be talking TV. There have been even fewer HD TV releases. 90% of my favorite shows only had crappy full screen DVD releases. Popular shows from the 90's need remastering.
What they did with the Peewee and X-file releases was very impressive. Working a deal to do something similar with popular anime or cartoons would draw viewers.
I'm not sure what something like that costs to create, but I imagine a studio would be willing to allow the transfers. They just don't want to sink the money and time into it in case it doesn't sell.
Shows like X-Men, Barney, Tales From The Crypt, Almost all Nikelodean titles including Are You Afraid Of the Dark, Goosebumps, TMNT, Ghostbusters, Power Rangers, Tales From The Darkside, Alias, etc....
I stream 4K on the HBOMAX app on my Roku so I'm not sure what you're talking about. I could set-up a basic streaming service in a couple of month's time. Would it work as good as Ultraflix? Probably not.... But my resources are limited. I'm sure any company with a moderate budget could put something together fairly quickly. Getting it on the platforms would take more time, but not a ton of time.
I'm unsure we have anything we could offer another company unless they are too lazy to set up something themselves. Our best asset is time.
We could offer a company a platform instantly instead of months of setup.
Our best bet would be contacting some of the more indie labels for a partnership to remaster films in 4k for physical release in exchange for the rights to digitally stream it... Or simply saying our scan can only be used on Ultraflix. Or doing some sort of % split.
We were originally interested in remastering films, but I haven't seen anything in 3-4 years.... Hamy left right? A basic remaster is at least a type of exclusivity other platforms can't offer. Regardless of how old the film is.
If I was Dave I'd do the following.
I'd try to work out a deal to remaster at least 5 older titles each month.
I'd contact companies like Lionsgate and ShoutFactory/Arrow. Lionsgate number 1 because they've released very few films even in 1080p. ShoutFactory because they handle all of the popular/cult films on Bluray. They don't currently do streaming or 4K physical. Actually Arrow might have just started. What about the Weinstein titles? Who bought those? Most don't have HD presentation. There are so many popular older titles that could be utilized.
NTEK would supervise the scanning of film elements and get it ready for physical release. In exchange, they would get an exclusive deal on the streaming rights. This way the film company is getting something upfront which removes the risk.
I would not focus on new releases until the older titles are established.
We should be the Criterion of streaming. High-quality releases.
Not the "amount," but having 4-5 titles each month that an average user would spend money on.
I actually think it would be a better business plan offering just 5 rotating films each month than offering thousands of mid-level titles that don't really look better than other platforms. We'd essentially be a digital movie theatre for remastered titles.
Obviously the company is small so we can't handle large restorations "without help," but there are still a ton of films that haven't had properly blu-ray releases. There are thousands of films that could easily be scanned and mastered to 4K.
We are talking film, but should also be talking TV. There have been even fewer HD TV releases. 90% of my favorite shows only had crappy full screen DVD releases. Popular shows from the 90's need remastering.
What they did with the Peewee and X-file releases was very impressive. Working a deal to do something similar with popular anime or cartoons would draw viewers.
I'm not sure what something like that costs to create, but I imagine a studio would be willing to allow the transfers. They just don't want to sink the money and time into it in case it doesn't sell.
Shows like X-Men, Barney, Tales From The Crypt, Almost all Nikelodean titles including Are You Afraid Of the Dark, Goosebumps, TMNT, Ghostbusters, Power Rangers, Tales From The Darkside, Alias, etc....
