VOD Delivery Requirements

Deliverables may differ according to each project*, however, a general guideline includes:

1. Order Form

2. Video content (short, feature, trailer, episodes)

• We accept Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple Uncompressed, Digital Betacam, Betacam SP, HDCAM, HDCAM-SR, D5.
• Textless video is preferred.

3. Poster Art

4. Metadata

5. Audio, including external audio (5.1 audio is necessary for HD price point and if it has ever been created).

6. Closed Captioning 

• All material distributed in the United States or Canada requires closed captioning
• Closed captioning should be .cap or .scc or .srt files.

7. Subtitle files, if applicable.

• Subtitles should be .srt or .stl.

8. Dubbing files, in applicable

9. Chaptering material, if applicable

10. Invoicing information

11. Fix clips, if necessary

12. Official ratings, if necessary

12. Certificates of copy, if necessary

13. Bonus content, if necessary

For licensing aggregation, also:

14. A signed contract
15. For some platforms, cue sheets
16. For some platforms (Sony), proof of E and O insurance
17. For some platforms (Hulu, Sony) a pitch sheet and marketing material or plans
18. Disbursement account information, including EIN, ITIN or other tax information

*Please see specifications sheet for more detailed requirements.

“A” TIER VOD COMPANIES:

World Wide:

iTunes (please refer to local language chart for available territories)

North America (US & CA):

•  Google Play
• Amazon
• Sony Entertainment Network (Also supports French Canadian)
• InDemand
• Vubiquity
• Dish

United States: 

• Hulu
• VUDU

U.K.:

• Google Play
• Sony Entertainment Network
• Amazon (Ireland as well)

Europe:

• Google Play (France, Germany, Spain)
• Amazon (Germany, Italy, Spain)
• Sony Entertainment Network (France, Germany, Spain, Italy)

Japan:

• Google Play
• Amazon
• Sony Entertainment Network

Brazil: 

• Google Play

Australia:

• Google Play
• Sony Entertainment Network

Russia:

• Google Play

Please note: local language, ratings and other requirements may apply.  You must have all rights and clearances for each territory in which you sell content.

Also for Amazon, unless otherwise specified, then your content will become eligible in all Amazon territories.

It is acceptable for your movie to be in an original language, as long as it is also dubbed/subtitled in an official Local Language.

ADDITIONAL VOD COMPANIES:

• YouTube
• Verizon
• Indieflix
• FlixFling
• TF1 on demand
• Roku
• T-mobile
• Filmrabbits
• OVGuide
• Overdrive
• Hoopla
• RTL
• PRO7
• Filmgorrillas
• ClickFlick
• Dailymotion
• Orange
• Chellomedia
• CinemaNow
• HBO GO
• Epix
• Blinkbox
• Blockbuster
• Divx Online
• BCE
• Canal+ VOD
• Rogers
• MOD Systems
• Telefonica
• Mspot
• LodgeNet
• BTvision
• MediaMarkt Online
• Sezmi

The revenue you receive depends on a number of factors, including, what type of content you are selling, whether it is SD or HD, whether someone buys or rents, etc.

However, you can generally expect to earn between 70% and 50% of the retail price every time your film is purchased or rented.

Sales (EST) more often return 70% of the retail price and rentals (VOD), particularly of Library Releases, return 50% of the retail rental price.

Seasons of TV retail for slightly less (about 5-10%) than if each episode is bought individually.

If you are streaming content on an ad-supported network like Hulu, you usually split ad revenue 50/50. If you are streaming behind a pay wall, you will usually have a licensing deal or receive a few cents per stream (for example, $0.10 per stream, $0.185 per stream) (less taxes and fees, like BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC, etc).

Your options differ by platform.

iTunes: Features – You may suggest a retail price range, based on a tier system which corresponds to a guaranteed wholesale price. iTunes retains the right to set the retail price. For some tiers, eligibility thresholds, such as minimum box office earnings, must be met.

iTunes: TV and Shorts – iTunes retains the right to control pricing. Your short or episode will generally retail for $1.99 (SD) or $2.99 (HD), but there are exceptions.

Google Play allows you to select from a set of wholesale pricing tiers. Google maintains the right to set retail pricing.

Sony determines the retail price of your film. This usually corresponds with days-past-release (Day and Date, 6 months old, over one year old, etc.).

Amazon allows you to suggest the retail price of your content, within reason. For programs sold on Prime (SVOD), Client receives $.10 per stream that is 6 minutes or the full duration of the title.

Hulu offers an ad-split of 50/50 or a few cents (about $.18) earned per stream.

To “go live” in a store means that your content is offered for sale or rental in that store.

Time-to-live varies considerably depending on a number of factors, but is generally 4–12 weeks.

However, it can take longer.

The timeline is as follows:

Submission to Echelon Studios

• For non-problematic content, we require 4-8 weeks to cover:
  Ingestion
• • QC
  • Packaging
  • Delivery
• Time generally necessary to publish on platform before live date:
  • iTunes: 2-4 weeks
  • Google Play/Sony Entertainment Network/Hulu/Amazon: 45 days
  • Others: Typically 30-45 days, however please consult your Echelon Studios Account Manager or your contact at the individual service.

Problematic content can severely slow time-to-live.  Common content problems include macroblocking, interlacing, mixed aspect ratio or frame rates, dropped frames, audio pops or drops, etc.

We can fix many problems in house. However, if a new source is needed, we often need to start the ingest and QC process from the beginning. This means even if you initially sent us a film on day “A”, the timeline begins again when we receive “B” source.

Missing or problematic ancillary assets, such as incomplete metadata, inappropriate poster art, missing closed captioning, etc. can also slow down progress.  Please ensure all assets are ready for delivery to Echelon Studios at the time of submitting.

Echelon Studios cannot guarantee your content will be live by any specific date, if at all.

Because of this, we VERY STRONGLY suggest you PLAN WELL IN ADVANCE.  Especially for new release content with marketing plans.

The technical standard required for digital distribution on most platforms is very high. Every video Echelon Studios processes goes through a detailed, multi-tiered, technically-involved quality control and audit process.

This involves many steps and takes time. If there are problems, this may take many weeks. If we require a new source, you may need to enlist your editor to help with fixes.

This multi-check process is critical to ensuring your titles are not rejected by the digital platforms.

If you would like closed captioning or subtitles created or conformed, this adds time, often 2 to 4 weeks. There are many hurdles and moving parts. If this is the first time you have sent a film to iTunes or other platforms, please leave PLENTY of time.

But the wait is worth it! It ensures people watching your movie have the best experience possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding of our commitment to quality.

If we believe your content will not pass QC, we will inform you of this as soon as possible to discuss options.