Streaming Place is the logical evolution of cinemas and online entertainment.

1. The Future of Entertainment
Alan G. Shimp
March 2021

2. There is nothing better than a good old-fashioned false
dichotomy to fuel a meaningless debate. And the most
prominent false dichotomy du jour is whether cinemas or
streaming services will become the prevailing outlet for
motion picture releases in a post-COVID 19 world. But what
if you want to stream video in in a public, social setting?
Movie Theaters or Streaming?
A False Dichotomy.
Would that be Possible?
© 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP

3. What would it
be?
 A gathering spot to view streaming video and other online content. It would be a social venue that fills a role similar to
cinemas but takes it a step further by bridging the gap between real world and virtual social settings. It would also
allow patrons to choose a convenient showtime. It could also be a venue to stream live sporting events.
How would it
work?
 Streaming Place would be integrated with an app for social networking, reservations, purchases, and reviews.
 It could have a large central seating area, set up as a café.
 It could have varying sized viewing rooms:
 One to three guests may reserve a booth.
 Four or more guests may reserve a room.
 The lobby could offer café food in addition to traditional concessions.
What would be
the revenue
model?
 Streaming Place could exploit myriad revenue streams with the primary advantage based on data, sold to advertisers,
studios, game developers, etc.
 In addition to the data, traditional revenue streams would be generated from subscriptions, partnerships, events,
concessions, etc.
What would be
the pricing
model?
 There would be a cashless, app-based monthly membership fee (e.g. $5 or $10).
 It would be offset by a reward discount in the same amount for the first reservation each month.
 The price per film could be based on an algorithm that factors in a base price for the presentation, the size of the
room, and the number of people viewing
 A new release would likely be at the going rate of a movie ticket (i.e. $10 -$16 per person), but perhaps an older
film, e.g., The Maltese Falcon, could be $5 – or even $2 – per person.
 Further adjustments could be made such as $5 per person for groups up to 4, $2 per person for groups greater
than 8.
Streaming Place is the logical evolution of cinemas and
online entertainment.
© 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP

4. By offering an enhanced customer experience, Streaming
Place can realize increased revenue.
1
Lobby seating, set up similarly to a café, would encourage guests to socialize while at the same time enables the
venue to obtain customer feedback and sell more concessions.
2
Flexible start times (reservations are “held” for 15 minutes) would enable guests to complete on-site pre-movie
meals or drinks. Guests could order additional food and beverages via the app during the show, and pause the film
when the wait staff delivers.
3
Streaming Place could recognize increased opportunities from smaller independent films, series bingeing,
documentaries, and even older inventories from major motion picture studios. Sports and other live events like
shows, conventions, and concerts could also be streamed.
4
Like-minded people could arrange, via chat boards, to reserve a room or booth at Streaming Place where they would
view their desired content. Guests would feel safe meeting at Streaming Place for a first date, and they’d not only be
entertained, but they’d have a place to interact/socialize after the film. Ultimately it would be less expensive and
require less time.
5
Via the app, individuals could join others who want to view a given movie at the same time, thus qualifying for a
larger room at a lower per-person cost, much like the shared ride model of Uber and Lyft.
© 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP

5. Streaming Place would be safer and more effective at
collecting data because all viewers would identify
themselves and opt-in upon arrival.
The key to a successful streaming service is the ability
to derive meaningful insights and actions from data.
However, the Federal Trade Commission has issued orders
to video streaming companies, requiring them to provide
data on how they collect, use, and present personal
information, their advertising and user engagement
practices, and how their practices affect children and teens.
FTC Issues Orders to Nine Social Media and Video Streaming Services Seeking Data About How They Collect, Use, and Present Information
December 14, 2020
© 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP

6. Events
B2B Events
 Suitable for a physical
event in one city with a
keynote speaker.
 Useful for a simulcast
of speakers in multiple
cities with local hosts to
expand reach.
B2C Events
 Children’s birthday
parties could be thrown.
 Business events are a
possibility.
 So are charitable
functions — e.g.
showing a documentary
film.
Live Sports
 Groups could book for
live sporting events.
Concessions
Before
 Guests could drink
simple coffee or drinks
while waiting for all
members of the party to
arrive.
During
 Food could be ordered
via app and delivered
by waitstaff or — as the
film can be paused —
picked up by the
guests, who are notified
via the app once it’s
ready.
After
 Guests could gather to
discuss the film.
Partnerships
Dating Apps
 It would be a safe place
for a first date.
 A dating app would
already have
considerable personal
information.
 There is potential to sell
advertising based on
couples’ information.
 This data is just the
beginning of a profile
that would continue to
build over time and be
valuable for resale.
Fantasy Sports
 Partnerships with
fantasy sports leagues
could drive increased
traffic
Subscriptions
Monthly/Annual
 Subscribers would pay
a small monthly fee
($10? $5?), which may
be applied to the first
film viewed during that
month.
Walk-In
 Non-subscribers could
receive an incentive to
subscribe on the spot
(ex: 10% off).
Sports Subscription
 Subscribers could have
a subscription to view
an entire season of
games.
Data
Advertisers
 Streaming Place could
use the data to secure
targeted advertisers,
perhaps charging a
premium based on the
ability to profile
attendees.
Film Studios
 Streaming Place could
sell the aggregate
demographic data to
film studios who need
just that type of input to
help guide new
projects.
Live Sports Events
 Streaming Place could
sell to sports franchises
and online gambling
sites.
Streaming Place has multiple revenue models, including:
© 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP

7. Streaming Place offers a “best of all worlds” experience
for filmmakers, guests, and owners.
Streaming Place Cinema Personal Device Home TV
Filmmakers can identify every individual
viewing the film
● ○ ○ ○
Guests have a nearly unlimited selection of
films
● ○ ● ●
Guests can see the films at a time of their
choosing
● ○ ● ●
Guests can enjoy the film with a variety of food
options
● ◐ ● ●
Guests can gather with friends to discuss the
film
● ○ ◐ ◐
An ideal spot for a first date ● ● ○ ○
Affordable ● ◐ ◐ ◐
Guests can add comments and reviews, and
complete surveys
● ○ ○ ○
Guests can accumulate reward points ● ○ ○ ○
Guests can meet others with similar interests to
watch and discuss films
● ○ ○ ○
© 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP

8. Streaming Place has some “unknowns” that need to be
considered:
 Currently there are two distribution models: one for private home exhibition and one for public exhibition. Streaming
Place, however, would be considered private exhibition in a place open to the public and would therefore require a new
kind of distribution.
 It is possible that the distributors (i.e. studios) would balk at the idea. However, when the studios recognize that quality
data can be captured at Streaming Place in addition to the supplemental revenue, there will be a great incentive to play
along. Likewise, obtaining exhibition rights to sports and other live events could be a challenge.
 It is questionable if the studios could create their own streaming place. While the 1948 Paramount consent decrees
have been lifted, vertical control of exhibition by distributors may still raise antitrust concerns under that precedent. Is
Streaming Place an exhibitor? According to the Redd Horne Decision, the answer would be yes. Columbia Pictures
Industries, Inc. v. Redd Horne, Inc., 749 F.2d 154 (3d Cir. 1984). However, studios routinely exhibit their content
exclusively in certain venues. For example, you will never find a Warner Brothers movie on a Disney Cruise ship.
 It is certain that there will be litigation ahead regarding streaming and what constitutes public exhibition. Undoubtedly
large corporations like Disney, Comcast, and AT&T will throw their weight around and new laws will be written, but who
will prevail is unknown.
© 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP

9. © 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP

10. Appendix

11. The number of streaming services is growing exponentially.
© 2021 ALAN G. SHIMP
General Live TV Streaming NBA League Pass Outside TV BigStar Movies Laugh Out Loud Shudder
Philo NFL Game Pass Facebook The Roku Channel KocawaTV Screambox
fuboTV NHL.TV
On-Demand Streaming:
Varied Content
IMDb TV BroadwayHD Sundance Now
Sling TV Fox Soccer Match Pass Netflix
On-Demand Streaming:
Niche Options
Eros Now Hayu
YouTube TV UFC Fight Pass Disney+ Crunchyroll BritBox
Broadcaster-Specific
Streaming Options
Hulu with Live TV WWE Network Hulu Funimation Now Acorn TV HBO Now
PlayStation Vue Bleacher Report Live RedBox VRV Watch TCM AMC Premiere
DirecTV Now NBC Sports Gold Yahoo View HIDIVE Fandor Lifetime Movie Club
AT&T WatchTV MLB.TV Fandango Now DC Universe Gaia CBS All Access
Spectrum TV Essentials PokerGo Tubi TV Hi-Yah Qello Hallmark Movies Now
Pluto.tv Willow TV Crackle Curiosity Stream Revry FX+
Xumo F1 TV Popcornflix GuideDoc Tribeca Shortlist History Vault
KlowdTV Slice Apple iTunes Magnolia Selects Realeyz Showtime
LG Channel Plus Ginx Google Play Hopster TV Mubi Starz
TV Everywhere Twitter Shout Factory TV Pure Flix Short of the Week Epix
Xfinity Instant TV DAZN Vudu Dove Channel Kanopy MAX GO
NBC News Now
Live TV and On-Demand
Mixed Options
Vimeo UP Faith and Family Hoopla The CW and CW Seed
Live Sports Streaming Amazon Prime Video PantaFlix Drama Fever Urban Movie Channel
Miscellaneous Streaming
Options
ESPN+ YouTube Volta Blaze TV Rakuten Viki Twitch
Source: The Complete List of Streaming Services – 100+ Services

12. Thank you.
Contact information:
Alan G. Shimp
Juris Doctor Candidate, Class of 2021
UCLA School of Law
(814) 753-0611
alanshimp@gmail.com