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10 years ago, Netflix spent $0 on original content.
This year:
Netflix: $11B
Apple: $6B
Disney: $1B
+ amazon, hulu HBO etc.
=
$20B+
Here's a crazy startup idea to take a swing at this $20B+ content piñata.
Here's a quick business plan 
This year:
Netflix: $11B
Apple: $6B
Disney: $1B
+ amazon, hulu HBO etc.
=
$20B+
Here's a crazy startup idea to take a swing at this $20B+ content piñata.
Here's a quick business plan
The idea ---> @ycombinator for Content
Let's give it a made up name : Zeta Studios
It is a new accelerator model for getting shows & movies made.
Let's give it a made up name : Zeta Studios
It is a new accelerator model for getting shows & movies made.
@ycombinator = give engineer duos money ($120k), coaching, & give them 3 months to get ready for a Demo Day in front of a room of investors.
Zeta = give storytelling duos money ($120k), coaching, & 3 mo to get a sizzle reel ready for Demo Day w/ buyers from netflix, amazon etc.
Zeta = give storytelling duos money ($120k), coaching, & 3 mo to get a sizzle reel ready for Demo Day w/ buyers from netflix, amazon etc.
Why now? ---> This wouldn't work 10 years ago.
Demand for content has skyrocketed, but supply has not kept up.
You have infinite niches (action, comedy, reality, etc)
I mean there's a f*cking hit show about cleaning your house!
People are CHUGGING content of every flavor.
Demand for content has skyrocketed, but supply has not kept up.
You have infinite niches (action, comedy, reality, etc)
I mean there's a f*cking hit show about cleaning your house!
People are CHUGGING content of every flavor.
Plus areas like india, indonesia, africa etc. now have 2B+ new internet users streaming video
There's no such thing as "too much content"
The same way YC is replacing university for the most ambitious engineers. Let's replace film school for the best creatives.
There's no such thing as "too much content"
The same way YC is replacing university for the most ambitious engineers. Let's replace film school for the best creatives.
HOW IT WORKS:
Let creatives apply. Pick the most promising & fund them $120k for 7% royalty stream. Create a standard contract for all teams.
Bet on talent & hustle, not connections or resumes.
Every batch could have 50-100 potential shows/movies, ready to be picked up.
Let creatives apply. Pick the most promising & fund them $120k for 7% royalty stream. Create a standard contract for all teams.
Bet on talent & hustle, not connections or resumes.
Every batch could have 50-100 potential shows/movies, ready to be picked up.
The goal is for each team to go from concept, to have something tangible to show at demo day.
Eg. A short scene (like Pixar did early tests of Toy Story)
Or like the $200 pilot of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia:
Eg. A short scene (like Pixar did early tests of Toy Story)
Or like the $200 pilot of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia:
You could specialize in a specific style (eg. animation), or a genre (eg. comedy, true crime, etc..) early on, or just leave it broad.
Niches get riches. Crunchyroll is a $1B+ company for anime content. Altbalaji is $100M+ for indian soap operas etc
Niches get riches. Crunchyroll is a $1B+ company for anime content. Altbalaji is $100M+ for indian soap operas etc
YC works because it's winners are huge(eg. Dropbox, Airbnb, Stripe etc..)
You're shooting for the next Rick & Morty, The Office, or Ratatouille.
Netflix pays $100m per year for The Office. stack those royalty streams up & you have a huge business.
You're shooting for the next Rick & Morty, The Office, or Ratatouille.
Netflix pays $100m per year for The Office. stack those royalty streams up & you have a huge business.
I'm not the founder for this, but someone is. It would be hard, valuable & fun.
If you succeed - you kill the gatekeeper model of hollywood.
No more Harvey Weinsteins abusing power.
YC gave founders power instead of VCs.
We could do the same for creatives.
If you succeed - you kill the gatekeeper model of hollywood.
No more Harvey Weinsteins abusing power.
YC gave founders power instead of VCs.
We could do the same for creatives.
