Gone are the days when owning an online television network was only possible for wealthy business tycoons with a lot of funding. Thanks to virtual empowerment, everyone can now start their own online television network with a limited budget and resources, and reach a global audience effectively. 

With fewer complications in the entry procedure, the competition in the industry is growing tougher and tighter. Starting your online television network is easy, but running a successful one is another aspect altogether. In this blog, we will guide you through the process of starting an online television network, from identifying your goals to choosing a broadcasting platform and schedule. So, let’s get started!

Why Should You Start an Online Television Network?

There are numerous advantages of starting your online TV network compared to a traditional one –

• The cost of starting an online television network is significantly lower than a traditional TV network. You don’t have to build or rent a tower for broadcasting TV online, nor do you need to have a huge set up with a hoard of employees dealing with several software to schedule and stream content daily. 
• Online TV gives you the flexibility to add and publish content from a single dashboard without any knowledge of coding.
• Audience accessibility is easier with online TV. Anyone from any location can access your content the moment you air it, providing audiences with the freedom to engulf content from any corner of the world. 
• The legal procedures involved in creating an online TV network are minimal to zero, saving you time and effort.
• Quicker results with Smart Connectivity
• Compatible streaming across multiple devices 

Furthermore, starting an online TV network has several other key advantages. You can provide on-demand service and offer more options and versatility to your audience, and monetize your channel by including different types of monetization models such as subscription-based models, Pay Per View, Ad-Free, etc.

Steps to Start an Online Television Network

1. List Your Goals and Driving Factors

Before starting an online television network, you need to identify your objectives and the sole purpose of starting the network. It’s essential to realize the reasons behind your decision to start an online TV channel. 

Try to note down what you are going to offer, what times you prefer for broadcasting several programs, and what events you are going to broadcast. This information helps you better execute the strategy, and it is ideal to focus on a niche rather than trying a mixture of all sorts of contents to please every stage of the audience.

2. Choose Your Broadcast and Monetization Model

After making a checklist of your objectives and purposes, you must decide on a broadcast model. You can choose between on-demand, linear 24/7, or a blend of both. In the on-demand model, your audience is not limited to a pre-defined schedule. They can opt for the content they would like to watch anytime. Examples of on-demand models include YouTube and Netflix. 

In the linear model, you show your content 24/7, like a traditional model. Here, the audience is knotted to a schedule, and you can broadcast both live and pre-recorded content. In a blend of both models, you can show content 24/7 to audiences as well as show them content in an on-demand model.

Next, you need to decide on a monetization model. There are three fundamental monetization models, including subscription-based models, Pay Per View models, and Free (ad-supported) models. 

In subscription-based models, viewers pay a definite amount as a subscription fee (monthly/quarterly/annually) to access your content. 

In Pay Per View models, viewers can pay a definite amount to access content individually as per their choice. 

In the Free (ad-supported) model, you show your content for free but show ads to your audience to earn revenue from ads. You can combine this model with a subscription-based model as per your requirements.

3. Choose Your Platform for Broadcasting

Now that you have your goals and objectives in place and have decided on your broadcast and monetization models, it’s time to choose a platform for broadcasting. Building a platform from scratch can be time-consuming and requires technical expertise, so it’s recommended to choose a ready-to-use and zero-code online TV hosting platform.

Muvi Playout, a one-of-its-kind of broadcasting platform, allows you to get a completely customized TV channel without any coding knowledge or programming skills. With Muvi Playout, you can stream scheduled programs on your website, mobile or TV applications, and broadcast pre-scheduled content sequentially. Some of the features you can enjoy with Muvi Playout include advanced content management, state-of-the-art scheduler, and built-in monetization.

4. Choose Your Schedule for Broadcasting Programs

Once you have your broadcasting platform and model in place, it’s time to focus on creating a schedule for broadcasting programs. When preparing a schedule, you need to keep your target audience in mind and observe their behaviors to determine the best times to broadcast your content.

One effective approach is to start with a limited number of programs and gradually increase your offerings based on your audience’s feedback. As you gain a better understanding of your audience’s preferences, you can adjust your schedule accordingly to provide more value and engagement.

Start Your Journey of Building an Online Television Network with Muvi Playout

Undoubtedly, starting an online television network is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking to enter the world of broadcasting. With the right strategy, tools, and resources, you can create a successful online TV network that reaches a global audience and offers engaging and valuable content. And to start with, you need a robust platform. 

Muvi Playout is an all-in-one broadcasting platform that can help you launch your own online TV and audio channel with ease. With advanced content management, state-of-the-art scheduler, and built-in monetization, Muvi Playout can help you boost your operational efficiency and trim broadcasting costs.

Here are some super-cool features of Muvi Playout:

If you’re interested in starting your online television network, Muvi Playout offers a 14-day free trial so you can explore the platform and see if it’s the right fit for your needs.

FAQs

• How does a television network work? 

A television network operates by distributing TV programs to multiple affiliated stations across a region or country. The network acquires, produces, or licenses content and schedules it for broadcast, allowing viewers to access a wide range of programming through their local affiliated stations.

• What is the difference between a TV channel and a TV network? 

A TV channel refers to a single station or frequency that broadcasts specific content to viewers. In contrast, a TV network encompasses multiple affiliated stations that distribute programming across a larger geographic area, often offering a variety of channels within the network.

• What are the essential features needed to create an online TV network? 

To create an online TV network, essential features include a reliable streaming platform, high-quality video hosting and delivery services, a content management system, user-friendly interface, monetization options, analytics tools, and robust infrastructure to handle the demands of streaming content to a wide audience.

• How can I monetize my channel and make revenue? 

There are several ways to monetize a channel and generate revenue, including advertising through platforms like Google AdSense or YouTube’s Partner Program, sponsorships or brand collaborations, merchandise sales, crowdfunding, subscription-based models, or offering premium content for a fee. Consider the preferences of your target audience and explore various monetization strategies to find the most suitable option for your channel.