Streaming Platforms

July 2024

This article is related to a recently completed custom research project ABA conducted on behalf of a member. Our research team is always delighted to speak with members about tailoring research projects to your organization. To learn more or submit a custom research request, simply contact your member advisor or email us at info@advisoryarts.com. 

An ABA member sought to learn best practices for streaming platforms both within and outside the opera realm. To gain a well-rounded perspective, ABA identified and interviewed eleven organizations, including for-profit and non-profit entities, opera and non-opera organizations, as well as single-sourced platforms and aggregators.

The study findings include:

• Most regard streaming platforms as marketing costs rather than profitable assets: As they require ongoing and substantial investment –especially in technology and rights– it takes several years to build and consolidate streaming platforms, and they rarely break even.

• Streaming platforms do not cause cannibalization: Most digital subscribers are also season ticket holders and consume both products as independent experiences.

• International reach is challenging: Opera Houses compete with local providers, which data shows hold the largest market share in their regions. As a result, most focus on growing locally or regionally, rather than expanding internationally.

Members can download the report by clicking below.