There’s been a big movement of owning the content you watch and not being forced into packaged deals. Services like M-Go and Netflix allow for consumers to get more for less, whether it’s streaming or pay-per-content. There’s a new site called OwnZones going in that same direction with their new site.
The site is not only for video, but audio and text as well. For a low monthly price (as low as $.99), users can get content in a wide range of topics. Everything from animal insights, to healthcare, and even sports, OwnZones has something for everyone to view.
(Topics include Arts, Faith and Spirituality, Fitness, Food and Drink, Healthy Living, Hobbies and Crafts, Insights, International, Kids, Learning, Money, Pets, Science, Small Business, Sports, Travel, and Wheels and Wings.)
The site is HTML 5 so should work on most if not all devices. Some sections are still being worked on, but it looks like the service is starting off well. I wonder how big this site will get. Check out the press release below for more info:
Check out OwnZones.Com
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OwnZones Platform Press Release
OwnZones today announced the opening of its advertising-free platform for premium niche content. OwnZones (http://www.ownzones.com) is the first destination on the web where customers can enjoy access to a range of high-quality niche media spanning a variety of categories served on any desktop or mobile device, with attractive prices and terms.
OwnZones currently hosts more than 80,000 pieces of video, audio and text media, and will continue to expand its libraries to meet the growing demands for niche content. Users can explore via search or through its seventeen curated topic groups at launch including Arts, Faith and Spirituality, Fitness, Food and Drink, Healthy Living, Hobbies and Crafts, Insights, International, Kids, Learning, Money, Pets, Science, Small Business, Sports, Travel, and Wheels and Wings.
“OwnZones gives consumers direct access to content they are passionate about – the way they want it and when they want it,” said Dan Goman, OwnZones founder and CEO. “Many consumers have trouble finding relevant, high quality content that’s outside of daily mainstream news. We take the pain out of finding the most granular media quickly in any medium, which is a time saver for consumers as well as an attractive proposition for content publishers looking to augment their sales by connecting more quickly with engaged audiences.”
OwnZones is responsive in design, running on HTML5 to ensure content is easily viewed across any combination of browser-enabled smartphones, smart TVs and tablets used by consumers. Additionally, with core offering pricing tiers of $0.99, $2.99, and $4.99 per month, customers can expect to find fairly priced libraries of desired content while content providers can feel confident that they’re receiving a fair, set market value for their goods.
According to Forrester Research’s Susan Bidel, “the era of completely free content is probably winding down.” Recently the analyst was cited as saying that “it’s time for people to test (paid alternatives). There has to be some kind of value exchange for all this work that publishers do. . . They can’t (support their operations) at current CPMs.” [1]
“Digital, connected consumers are increasingly accustomed to paying for content focused on their interests, while brands and publishers are seeking new platforms for distribution,” said Mike Vorhaus, President, Magid Advisors, a unit of Frank Magid & Associates. “We increasingly see in our research that consumers are prepared to pay for excellent content, well-curated by professionals, that is available across platforms. OwnZones is bringing that sort of content and delivery options to the consumer and it will be welcomed broadly.
[1] Source: Mashable , Magazines Experiment With New Kinds of Paywalls, by Lauren Indvik, October 11, 2013 (http://mashable.com/2013/10/11/magazines-paywalls-esquire-sports-illustrated-atlantic/)
