For BCE's Crave streaming platform, how do we balance exclusive Canadian content creation versus acquiring popular international shows?

Introduction

Balancing exclusive Canadian content creation versus acquiring popular international shows for BCE's Crave streaming platform presents a critical trade-off. This decision impacts user acquisition, retention, and the platform's competitive positioning in the streaming market. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining product strategy, user behavior, content economics, and regulatory considerations.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm assuming Crave is primarily targeting Canadian audiences. Is there a plan to expand internationally, which might influence our content strategy?

Why it matters: Impacts the balance between local and international content Expected answer: Primarily focused on Canadian market Impact: Would prioritize Canadian content to differentiate from global competitors

• Business Context: Based on the streaming industry trends, I'm thinking subscription revenue is the primary model. Are there other significant revenue streams for Crave?

Why it matters: Influences content acquisition strategy Expected answer: Subscription-based with some ad-supported tiers Impact: Would consider content that drives both subscriptions and ad views

• User Impact: I'm guessing we have data on viewing habits. What percentage of watch time is currently spent on Canadian vs. international content?

Why it matters: Indicates user preferences and potential gaps Expected answer: Mix of both, with international slightly higher Impact: Would inform the ideal ratio of Canadian to international content

• Technical: Considering the streaming quality expectations, are there any bandwidth or infrastructure constraints that might affect our ability to produce high-quality Canadian content?

Why it matters: Impacts production decisions and user experience Expected answer: Some limitations in remote areas Impact: Might influence the type and format of original content produced

• Resource: Given the competitive landscape, I'm assuming there's pressure on content budgets. What's our current split between acquisition and original production spend?

Why it matters: Determines our capacity for original content creation Expected answer: 70% acquisition, 30% original production Impact: Would inform how aggressively we can shift towards original content