Accu-Stats DVDs - Time for a Change?

Mikey Town

Mikey Town

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm sure this has been thought of before. Maybe it's even been discussed on the forum (but I didn't see anything when I searched for it).

It's 2015 and DVDs for video are quickly becoming outdated, much like what has happened to CDs for audio. Everything is moving to digital media. It makes sense. Why keep all of these physical goods around when you can save them to a device, or access them from an online database?

Sure, there is always going to be a niche market for these things. Audiophiles prefer CDs because the sound quality is just plain better. I still like to purchase Blu-rays of my favorite movies, because the high resolution, in conjunction with superior surround sound, provides a better experience (for me). However, for the vast majority of all media, it's already been converted to digital.

This got me thinking about the Accu-Stats videos. I was going through the catalogue the other day and literally laughed out loud at the thought of paying $20 for a DVD... not just an Accu-Stats DVD... ANY DVD. The product is great. They have, in my opinion, the best production value going in the billiards industry. Not to mention a fantastic library of matches. As much as they have going for their product, though, I don't ever see myself purchasing one of their DVDs.

That said, Accu-Stats would easily capture my business with a subscription service. It's a different business model, but from a consumer perspective, I'd be on board with that in a heartbeat.

If they could upload their video library and allow subscribers to watch any videos they want for $25/month (or whatever they decide to charge), I'd sign up without a second thought. All of a sudden, a consumer that wouldn't purchase an Accu-Stats product is a customer that is happily handing them $300/year.

I understand that this would be a big project, and building this infrastructure would require money, man-hours, etc... However, it just seems like a more prudent business model for today's day and age. And I have a hard time in believing that I am alone in my thinking on this.

Thoughts?


Cheers,

Mike
 
The infrastructure change to accommodate that would cost a FORTUNE. Yes, caps were needed.

I manage cloud hosting and a small data center and could help Accu-Stats make this happen, but the storage hardware alone would run 5 figures easily.

Then a robust data connection to the outside world would cost a grand a month or more.

Do you see that many subscribers jumping in?
 
Accu-Stats DVD's

Thanks Mikey - Great question

Since the day we started taping on VHS we have always been cognizant of technological changes.

I agree that DVD's will soon go the way of all outdated media. Two years on the outside and probably a lot sooner.

As regards the DVD pricing we offer programs that bring those costs down considerably. Quantity discounts (up to $8.00 per DVD), Video Of The Month Club where members get $10.00 off any and every DVD they buy.
We've been running a Special Overstock Sale on titles we had produced in the early DVD days (all good titles, we just made way too many of them) that are priced at $7.95. There are few customers who actually pay full retail.

As regards digital media we have been doing the Live PPV shows (U.S. Open, Derby City Classic etc.) for a number of years.

I have also had archived titles available on our site for streaming for almost ten years. Right now I have 380 matches available priced between $3.95 and $6.95 depending on the length of the match. Most are set for a 24 hour viewing period. That time period was chosen by over 200 of my customers as a good length for viewing. The Home Theater section offers customers much longer viewing times. You should check these out.

Finally - Three different times in a 6 year span I tried setting up a "Subscription" program for the archived PPV matches. Three times it failed.

As ideologist pointed out the costs are prohibitive. There's no way we could charge the customer enough to make it fair.

Here's the scenario I encountered. SOME people sign up - the first month and maybe the second month they've paid the subscription fee and watch all the matches they want to see. My storage and bandwidth fees for that subscriber easily cost more than the $25.00 he paid. That's OK - I'll make it up over time - nope - soon as they watch the ones they want to see they quit the program.

Doing it on an individual basis allows me price it fairly and apportion costs properly. Storage space and bandwidth costs, while prices ARE coming down they are still pricey.

The future - I believe those costs will continue to decline. I have 1500 more titles to add to the streaming section. I am a beta-tester for new technologies from AudioVideoWeb.com. I think things can only improve for Accu-Stats and for our customers.

Why don't I have our latest releases on the streaming program?
Simple, I do not want to cannibalize our DVD sales.
The CEO of Netflix was asked the same question about his service.
He replied that while his bandwidth costs were down to $.01 per hour, the royalty fees he had to pay for "New" releases exceeded the membership fees that he was charging.

Can't buy it for $9.95 and sell it for $7.95 and make it up in volume.
The sad part of our beloved sport is that the general consensus is that "Free Is Better". There does not exist a customer base large enough in pool to justify the costs that ideologist mentioned.

Thanks and sorry for the long-winded reply.

Jim
Accu-Stats
 
Great post by OP
It is laughable in this era that DVD are still used. Pool videos is digital content and should be delivered digitally
If the infrastructure cost for conversion is high can always JV with web content distributor company and give % of revenue. Let the distributor handle the digital content delivery while Accu-Stats focus on producing more content of quality
Conversion will result in diversified revenue model with multiple revenue streams in the long term such as streaming/subscription fee or download fee
The option for DVD can still be there for old schoolers who still prefer physical DVD
Best part about digital delivery is scalability. Pool videos can be commoditised so in long run it has to be scalable

No wonder Jeff Bezos is always laughing

jeff-bezos-sweddr-o.gif
 
There you go. A really good, well thought out, all inclusive reply straight from the horses mouth. Also, I think a lot of people may not be aware of the Accu-Stats theater aka on-demand rental service you guys have. I think it's pretty cool so I'm glad you brought it up.
 
spartan said:
Great post by OP
It is laughable in this era that DVD are still used. Pool videos is digital content and should be delivered digitally
If the infrastructure cost for conversion is high can always JV with web content distributor company and give % of revenue. Let the distributor handle the digital content delivery while Accu-Stats focus on producing more content of quality
Conversion will result in diversified revenue model with multiple revenue streams in the long term such as streaming/subscription fee or download fee
The option for DVD can still be there for old schoolers who still prefer physical DVD
Best part about digital delivery is scalability. Pool videos can be commoditised so in long run it has to be scalable

No wonder Jeff Bezos is always laughing

jeff-bezos-sweddr-o.gif
Click to expand...

Great thread and great response from Jim.
Spartan takes it to the next step. Forward progress into a diversified revenue model is attainable.
Has Accu Stats looked into a web content distributor and partnering up with them in order to cut costs of going in completely on their own?

I have purchased content from TAR before and the aspect of downloading HD matches and they are on my computer forever is a true advantage. Then I can watch via, lap top, tablet, or smart tv with ease. Sometimes, after a week of full time work, family stuff, table time, I only find thirty minutes to watch some pool. So one match could last three days for me. (Even less if I drop it onto my smart phone and watch it during lunch breaks at work).

So truth be told, it takes me longer to get through a DVD just from time constraints so my buying content from accu stats is spaced farther apart. I have four DVDs at home that I still need to watch, but right now I'm find myself re-watching TAR matches on my phone because of the down time outside of the house, and my phone is on me.

And remember, if I can download it, I'm not wasting data charges streaming it. So I'm definitely more prone to watching content I can download to portable devices.
 
Downloading

Thanks Cardigan,

Tried the download feature when I was testing the Subscription idea.

I found it clunky and hard to use for the customers who participated in the trial program.

Microsoft Digital Rights Management (DRM) encryption is ancient and hard to use.
I have an aversion to pirating and allowing unencrypted content is just asking for trouble. All encryption is easy to crack - ask any thirteen year-old.

As I watch the analogous issues in the music industry I see that even there "downloading" may either disappear in favor of streaming or just get too expensive.

From around the world I get notices of pirated Accu-Stats material that the "legal department" acts on quickly.

I know the work that Justin put into digitizing his media on a platform such as Vimeo.
Didn't generate enough income on its own to save the company.

Had lengthy discussions with various web content distributors and haven't found a good one yet. Doesn't mean one doesn't exist, just haven't found them yet.

A VERY reputable company in England made a proposal for ALL of our content for their platform and service. At the end it amounted to the fact that Accu-Stats would get $.05 per title per viewing. Not logical.

Vimeo too - good platform - looked at them 6 years ago when they didn't accept "commercial" products such as ours. Once again, I know how hard Justin and TAR worked to make that "happen". Lotsa work - few rewards.

Will keep looking - you can always email me at jim@accu-stats.com with ideas.

Thanks again,

Jim
Accu-Stats
 
Good exchange!

Good post, good response! I wish that every AZB'er would make a Accu-Stats purchase every month to insure that they stay healthy. They have contributed to this sport that we love in more ways than can be counted.

I bought 10 of the $7.95 DVD's watched them and gave them away to some APA players that said they had never heard of Accu-Stats?????? Well now they have!
 
The accustats streaming ppv archive is all I use. Purchase quite frequently. Just gotta add more of the oldies on the streaming and all will be good, as I have watched about all of them. :thumbup: Even if this meant a raised price to account for DVD sales, streaming is certainly the future, and really the best way for a company to archive all of their archives (with good backups of course).

I have not bought a DVD of any kind (movie or billiards related) in several years.

And yes Jim is great and responsive with customers etc...
 
Last edited:
King T said:
Good post, good response! I wish that every AZB'er would make a Accu-Stats purchase every month to insure that they stay healthy. They have contributed to this sport that we love in more ways than can be counted.

I bought 10 of the $7.95 DVD's watched them and gave them away to some APA players that said they had never heard of Accu-Stats?????? Well now they have!
Click to expand...

TYVM, green on you Sir !
 
Jfred said:
Thanks Mikey - Great question

Since the day we started taping on VHS we have always been cognizant of technological changes.

I agree that DVD's will soon go the way of all outdated media. Two years on the outside and probably a lot sooner.

As regards the DVD pricing we offer programs that bring those costs down considerably. Quantity discounts (up to $8.00 per DVD), Video Of The Month Club where members get $10.00 off any and every DVD they buy.
We've been running a Special Overstock Sale on titles we had produced in the early DVD days (all good titles, we just made way too many of them) that are priced at $7.95. There are few customers who actually pay full retail.

As regards digital media we have been doing the Live PPV shows (U.S. Open, Derby City Classic etc.) for a number of years.

I have also had archived titles available on our site for streaming for almost ten years. Right now I have 380 matches available priced between $3.95 and $6.95 depending on the length of the match. Most are set for a 24 hour viewing period. That time period was chosen by over 200 of my customers as a good length for viewing. The Home Theater section offers customers much longer viewing times. You should check these out.

Finally - Three different times in a 6 year span I tried setting up a "Subscription" program for the archived PPV matches. Three times it failed.

As ideologist pointed out the costs are prohibitive. There's no way we could charge the customer enough to make it fair.

Here's the scenario I encountered. SOME people sign up - the first month and maybe the second month they've paid the subscription fee and watch all the matches they want to see. My storage and bandwidth fees for that subscriber easily cost more than the $25.00 he paid. That's OK - I'll make it up over time - nope - soon as they watch the ones they want to see they quit the program.

Doing it on an individual basis allows me price it fairly and apportion costs properly. Storage space and bandwidth costs, while prices ARE coming down they are still pricey.

The future - I believe those costs will continue to decline. I have 1500 more titles to add to the streaming section. I am a beta-tester for new technologies from AudioVideoWeb.com. I think things can only improve for Accu-Stats and for our customers.

Why don't I have our latest releases on the streaming program?
Simple, I do not want to cannibalize our DVD sales.
The CEO of Netflix was asked the same question about his service.
He replied that while his bandwidth costs were down to $.01 per hour, the royalty fees he had to pay for "New" releases exceeded the membership fees that he was charging.

Can't buy it for $9.95 and sell it for $7.95 and make it up in volume.
The sad part of our beloved sport is that the general consensus is that "Free Is Better". There does not exist a customer base large enough in pool to justify the costs that ideologist mentioned.

Thanks and sorry for the long-winded reply.

Jim
Accu-Stats
Click to expand...

Jim,

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your "long-winded reply." I did not expect to hear back from the horse's mouth... and definitely not that quick!

I'll check out the "Home Theatre" section. I honestly did not know that the streaming site existed.

As for the subscription service, I guess the whole key is in your last statement. There just isn't a large enough customer base in pool. If the customer base was larger, you would have many more new subscribers that would make up for the people who were canceling. If a company like Netflix has a few thousand people cancel, they don't even feel it. If you had a few hundred, that would probably be enough to take down the service as a whole.

One last question: Shouldn't you be concentrating on a phenomenal one-pocket event right now?!

Thanks for all that you do for the industry.


Cheers,

Mike
 
I've got a DVD player in my computer, but we haven't had a DVD player hooked up to the TVs for at least 5-6 years.

I recently video'd the wedding of a friend's 24-year old daughter. I asked them if they wanted a DVD of it. They looked puzzled...like they weren't sure what I was asking. I put it on youtube and they were happy.
 
flyvirginiaguy said:
The accustats streaming ppv archive is all I use. Purchase quite frequently. Just gotta add more of the oldies on the streaming and all will be good, as I have watched about all of them. :thumbup: Even if this meant a raised price to account for DVD sales, streaming is certainly the future, and really the best way for a company to archive all of their archives (with good backups of course).

I have not bought a DVD of any kind (movie or billiards related) in several years.

And yes Jim is great and responsive with customers etc...
Click to expand...

My big payload of green sent your way Sir ! tyvm :yeah:
 
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