Nine In Ten Consumers In India Desire Simplicity In Entertainment Experiences: Accenture Report

“Reinvent for Growth” report highlights how media companies can improve user experiences and drive revenue with new entertainment ecosystems

More than nine in ten consumers in India (95%) want an all-in-one platform to simplify their entertainment experiences with video streaming, fantasy sports, social media, ecommerce and more, according to “Reinvent for growth,” a new report from Accenture (NYSE: ACN).

As part of its second annual global entertainment study, Accenture surveyed 6,000 consumers including more than 500 consumers in India to understand their preferences and behaviors regarding their online entertainment experiences. 72% consumers in India said they would pay for an all-in-one platform for their entertainment services. In addition, five in six (83%) want the ability to share their streaming profiles across platforms to allow for better personalization of content.

Saurabh Kumar Sahu, managing director and lead for Communications, Media and Technology industry group, Accenture in India said, “With growing focus on revenue over content and rising customer dissatisfaction with their media experiences, the streaming industry is at a critical stage of evolution. To stay relevant and profitable in an increasingly competitive media landscape, streaming service providers need to reimagine the entertainment ecosystem keeping in mind consumer needs for simplicity, customization and affordability.”

Other findings from the report further highlight the need for media organizations to reconsider their operational and content strategies:

41% of consumers in India unsubscribed from at least one of the top five streaming video-on-demand services in the last 12 months, and 42% said that they plan to cut one or more in the next 12 months.

More than six in 10 consumers (62%) in India reported frustration at finding something to watch. 

77% of consumers in India said they are overwhelmed by the number of streaming services to choose from, with 30% saying it can take them more than 10 minutes to settle on a streaming choice (up from 17% last year).

Accenture’s report also identifies three emerging roles for entertainment companies that are competing for consumers’ time, attention and money:

Audience aggregators are platform companies with a diversified business model that monetize attention and engagement directly and indirectly by tying multiple entertainment and other services together in one place.

Audience cultivators will create and efficiently monetize entertainment in one or multiple forms (e.g., video, music, gaming etc.) by knowing their core audience, focusing on content/cost efficiency, and ensuring that they’re included in audience aggregator platforms and bundles.

Content merchants will focus on making the best possible content without needing to monetize the engagement their content achieves.

“The shifts in consumer preferences and behavior point towards the need for aggregation. As value becomes the key determinant of success, media companies need to become more customer-centric using data and analytics. Prior to the pandemic, star presence was a big draw for video streaming content, however in the post pandemic economy story, treatment and performances have emerged as the real hero. With an evolved audience, media companies must also invest in better stories and put greater emphasis on co-creating stories,” said Neeraj Sharma, managing director – Communications, Media and Technology, Accenture in India.