Streaming services like Shudder, catering to niche audiences, focus on creating dedicated fan bases
As the autumnal chill sets in, the debate on when "spooky season" commences persists, with some advocating for October and others, September. Regardless of the start date, this piece seeks to shed light on niche streaming platforms, specifically horror-focused Shudder, and other platforms catering to specialized audiences.
To clarify, our scope extends beyond the impressive subscriber bases of mainstream services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and YouTube Premium. We are examining streamers such as Crunchyroll, which recently surpassed 15 million subscribers, and Shudder, with estimates placing its actual subscribers around 3 million.
Other standout platforms worthy of mention include comedy-oriented Dropout (approximately 500,000 subscribers), creator-driven Nebula (680,000), and streaming guides Letterboxd and JustWatch, though exact subscriber numbers for these entities are withheld.
One service gaining momentum is Shudder, which focuses on horror, thriller, and supernatural content. Receiving high praise from RogerEbert.com as 'one of the best streaming services in the world', Shudder boasts of human-curated content, leaving algorithms behind. This hands-on approach has resonated with subscribers, with one Reddit user affirming that Shudder is 'the biggest value of all the streaming services I subscribe to.'
Additionally, comedy platform Dropout launched in 2018, offering content unavailable elsewhere. With the wildly successful tabletop role-playing game show Dimension 20, Dropout has carved a unique niche for itself in the streaming industry. According to Guy Bisson, managing director of streaming data firm Ampere Analysis, niche services foster devotion and engagement among viewers, potentially making it more challenging but equally rewarding for more generalized services.
Crunchyroll, a pioneer in the realm of specialized entertainment, boasts 'the world's largest dedicated anime streaming library.' The platform is thriving, particularly in Europe, where demand for anime is on the rise. In July, Variety highlighted several streamers experiencing growth fueled by passionate fanbases, such as Beacon, a platform catering exclusively to fans of Critical Role.
Social film discovery platform Letterboxd, which integrated with JustWatch in 2019, has grown significantly since its 2011 inception but remains a unique destination for film enthusiasts. With prominent filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Edgar Wright, Rian Johnson, and Mike Flanagan actively using the platform, Letterboxd has created an online community that feels both distinctive and, according to The Washington Post, nostalgic.
If a lesson can be gleaned from examining these platforms, it's that focusing on a specific niche and catering to a passionate audience can lead to a more loyal and engaged subscriber base. In an industry where endless growth often dominates discussions, the value of maintaining a target audience should not be overlooked.
- Despite the debate on when "spooky season" starts, niche streaming platforms like Shudder, which focuses on horror, thriller, and supernatural content, are receiving high praise for their human-curated content that resonates with subscribers.
- Comedy platform Dropout, which offers content unavailable elsewhere and boasts the wildly successful tabletop role-playing game show Dimension 20, has carved a unique niche for itself in the streaming industry.
- Social film discovery platform Letterboxd, a unique destination for film enthusiasts, has grown significantly since its inception in 2011 and created an online community that feels both distinctive and nostalgic, catering to a passionate audience.
