Introduction
Your completed feature film has offers from three different platforms. Netflix wants to license it for a flat fee. Amazon offers per-hour streaming royalties through Prime Video Direct. Tubi will put it on their free ad-supported service with a CPM-based revenue share. Each model pays differently, and the "best" deal depends entirely on your audience size, genre, and how long viewers actually watch.
A producer with a 95-minute thriller compared a $75,000 Netflix license against Amazon Prime Video Direct projections of 200,000 viewing hours at $0.06 per hour ($12,000) and realized the flat license was worth 6x more than the per-view model at her realistic audience size. But a documentary filmmaker with a passionate niche audience of 500,000 annual viewers found that TVOD rentals at $4.99 generated $175,000 over 18 months, far exceeding the $30,000 SVOD license offer.
The Platform Revenue Comparison Tool models SVOD, TVOD, AVOD, and FAST revenue side by side so you can make data-driven distribution decisions instead of guessing which platform pays best.
What This Tool Calculates
The tool accepts projected views or transactions, film runtime, TVOD rental and purchase prices, and the rental-to-purchase ratio. It calculates estimated revenue for 9 major platforms across 4 distribution models: SVOD (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+), TVOD (iTunes, Amazon, Google Play), AVOD (Tubi, YouTube), and FAST (Pluto TV).
Each platform's estimate uses its actual revenue model: flat license fees for premium SVOD, per-hour royalties for Amazon Prime Video Direct, revenue share percentages for TVOD storefronts, and CPM-based ad revenue for free platforms. Results display grouped by model type for easy comparison.
The Formula and How It Works
Each distribution model uses a different revenue formula:
SVOD (License): Revenue = Flat License Fee (negotiated per title, the tool uses midpoint of typical range). SVOD (Per-View): Revenue = Total Viewing Hours x Per-Hour Rate. Amazon Prime Video Direct pays approximately $0.06 per hour streamed in the US.
TVOD: Revenue = (Views x Rental % x Rental Price x Platform Rev Share) + (Views x Purchase % x Purchase Price x Platform Rev Share). Apple and Google take 30% (70% to creator). Amazon takes 50% on TVOD.
AVOD/FAST: Revenue = Views x Estimated Revenue Per View. Tubi pays approximately $0.005 per view based on ad CPM splits. YouTube pays approximately $0.004 per view through AdSense. Pluto TV FAST channels average approximately $0.003 per view.
Worked example: 100,000 projected views, 95-minute film. TVOD on iTunes at $4.99 rental (70% of transactions) and $12.99 purchase (30%): (70,000 x $4.99 x 0.70) + (30,000 x $12.99 x 0.70) = $244,510 + $272,790 = $517,300. But this assumes all 100,000 people transact, which is the critical variable. AVOD on Tubi at 100,000 views: 100,000 x $0.005 = $500. The same audience size produces vastly different revenue depending on the model.
Rate data is sourced from publicly available platform documentation, creator reports, and industry benchmarks published by the Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA) and Digital Entertainment Group (DEG).
Real-World Examples
Genre Horror Film with Built-In Audience
A horror film with strong social media following projected 250,000 views in year one. TVOD on iTunes generated the highest estimate at $437,000 (assuming 60% rental, 40% purchase). The Netflix license estimate of $125,000 was lower but guaranteed. Amazon SVOD per-hour royalties projected $23,750. Tubi AVOD projected $1,250. The producer chose a windowed strategy: 3 months TVOD exclusive, then SVOD license, then AVOD for the long tail. Total projected: $180,000 across all windows.
Documentary with Educational Market
An environmental documentary projected 80,000 views primarily from educational institutions and advocacy organizations. TVOD purchases dominated at $12.99 (80% purchase, 20% rental) because schools buy rather than rent. The tool showed iTunes generating $83,000 versus a Netflix license estimate of $50,000. The filmmaker also pursued educational licensing through a specialty distributor at $295 per institution, which the tool helped frame as context for the digital-only comparison.
Comedy Short Film Series
A comedy producer with 5 short films (12 minutes each) compared YouTube AVOD against Tubi and Amazon. YouTube projected $2,000 at 500,000 views but offered audience-building value. Amazon per-hour royalties were minimal at $600 (short runtime hurts per-hour models). The producer chose YouTube for audience growth and monetized through Patreon and merchandise, using the platform revenue tool to confirm that direct ad revenue alone would not cover production costs.
Platform Revenue Models at a Glance
| Platform | Model | Revenue Basis | Typical Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | SVOD License | Flat fee per title | $50K to $2M (varies by title) |
| Amazon Prime Video Direct | SVOD Per-View | Per hour streamed | $0.06/hour (US) |
| Apple TV+ | SVOD License | Flat fee per title | $30K to $1.5M |
| iTunes / Apple TV | TVOD | 70% rev share | $4.99 rental / $12.99 purchase |
| Amazon TVOD | TVOD | 50% rev share | $3.99 to $14.99 typical |
| Tubi | AVOD | Ad CPM split | ~$0.005 per view |
| YouTube | AVOD | 55% AdSense share | ~$0.004 per view |
| Pluto TV | FAST | Ad CPM split | ~$0.003 per view |
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
Pro Tips
- Window your release across models for maximum total revenue. Start with TVOD (highest per-transaction value), move to SVOD after 3 to 6 months, then AVOD for the long tail. Each window captures a different audience segment willing to pay different amounts.
- TVOD revenue projections are the most sensitive to audience size assumptions. Overestimating your transactional audience by 50% doubles your revenue projection error. Use conservative estimates (10% to 20% of your social media following) for TVOD transaction projections.
- SVOD license fees are negotiated, not fixed. The ranges shown are industry averages. Your actual fee depends on genre, cast, festival pedigree, and the buyer's current content needs. A horror film during Halloween season commands a premium over the same film in March.
- AVOD and FAST channels provide minimal per-title revenue but offer discoverability. Consider them as marketing channels that also generate small royalties rather than as primary revenue sources.
Common Mistakes
- Comparing raw numbers without accounting for exclusivity. A $100,000 Netflix license that requires 3 years of worldwide exclusivity may be worth less than $60,000 in TVOD revenue that leaves you free to pursue other platforms simultaneously. Always factor in opportunity cost and term length.
- Assuming TVOD views equal total audience. If 100,000 people know about your film, maybe 5,000 to 15,000 will actually pay to rent or buy it. TVOD conversion rates for independent films typically range from 2% to 10% of your aware audience.
- Ignoring the time value of money. A $50,000 MG paid on signing is worth more than $75,000 in TVOD revenue projected over 24 months, especially when you need cash flow for your next production. Discount future revenue appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform pays the most for independent films?
It depends entirely on your audience size and engagement. For films with small but passionate audiences, TVOD typically generates the most per-viewer revenue. For films with broad appeal and large projected viewership, SVOD license fees provide the best guaranteed income. AVOD pays the least per view but has the lowest barrier to audience discovery.
Can I be on multiple platforms simultaneously?
Yes, if your agreements allow it. Many TVOD platforms are non-exclusive. SVOD licenses often require exclusivity windows. A common strategy is TVOD first (non-exclusive), then SVOD (exclusive window), then AVOD (non-exclusive long tail). Check each platform's terms carefully.
How accurate are per-view revenue estimates?
TVOD revenue share percentages are published and reliable. SVOD license fees vary enormously by title. AVOD CPM rates fluctuate with advertising market conditions. Use these estimates for comparative planning, not as guaranteed income projections.
Should I use an aggregator or go direct?
Most platforms require an aggregator or distributor for submission. Aggregators charge $500 to $2,000 per platform plus a small ongoing percentage (typically 15% to 20%). Going direct is possible on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video Direct. For SVOD licenses to Netflix or Apple, you typically need a sales agent or distributor.
What about international platform revenue?
This tool focuses on US rates. International TVOD and SVOD rates are typically 30% to 60% of US rates depending on territory. Use the International Sales Estimator alongside this tool for worldwide projections.
Start Calculating
The difference between the highest-paying and lowest-paying platform for your specific film can be 10x or more. A $100,000 SVOD license versus $10,000 in AVOD revenue is not an abstract comparison. It is the difference between funding your next project and going back to your day job.
Run your projected audience numbers through the comparison tool above and see which model works best for your title. What surprised you most about the revenue gap between platforms?
