Introduction to the BFI Player
The British Film Institute’s (BFI) streaming platform, the BFI Player, has established itself as a home for independent and classic cinema in Great Britain. After cutting its teeth as a unique streaming service, it is now expanding its reach internationally. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the platform, which has been steadily growing its catalog and user base since its launch.
International Expansion
In May, the BFI Player was launched in Finland, and it debuted in Sweden last month. According to Paul Lewis, director of the BFI Player, the platform will likely launch in Ireland next. Lewis stated that the BFI Player aims to launch in a new territory every year, with English-speaking, culturally similar countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand being among the top priorities. India is also an attractive market due to its large audience and growing demand for digital content.
Partnership with Amazon Prime Video
The BFI Player has partnered with Amazon Prime Video to launch its service in the Nordic region. This partnership allows the BFI Player to reach a wider audience while minimizing the risks associated with expanding into new markets. Lewis explained that working with partners like Amazon reduces the risks for the BFI Player, enabling it to focus on curating a unique and diverse catalog of films.
Next Phase of Growth
The international expansion of the BFI Player marks a new phase of growth for the platform. With a catalog of around 500 titles and 1,500 rental titles, the BFI Player offers a curated selection of films that cater to a diverse range of tastes and preferences. The platform’s focus on independent and classic cinema sets it apart from other streaming services, making it an attractive option for film enthusiasts.
Unique Selling Point
The BFI Player’s unique selling point is its "triple vision": to be omnipresent for customers, to be unique in the market, and to be a home for British independent and world cinema. Lewis described the platform as a "companion service" to global platforms like Netflix or Prime Video, offering a curated selection of films that complement the larger catalogs of these services. The BFI Player’s focus on contextualizing its content and providing added value to its users sets it apart from other streaming platforms.
Diversification of the Audience
The BFI Player is at the heart of the BFI’s future strategy, as outlined in its Screen Culture 2033 plan. The organization aims to expand its digital reach, improve access, and diversify its audience and income. The international launches are part of this effort, with the BFI Player aiming to grow its audience tenfold by 2033. The platform is also working to improve its technical capabilities, making it easier for users to find and access its content.
Behind the Scenes
Although the BFI does not release specific figures on the BFI Player’s income or subscriber numbers, Lewis stated that reaching one million views per month by the end of the year would be a success. The platform generates a "modest net income" that helps alleviate financial pressure on the organization. The BFI Player has a core team of 15 full-time staff, with around 30 BFI employees contributing to the platform. The head of the BFI Player program, James Rocarol, is part of the wider BFI programming team, which acquires films for both the BFI Player and theatrical releases.
Programming and Content
The BFI Player’s programming team acquires films with both the platform and theatrical releases in mind. The platform offers a unique opportunity to reach audiences beyond what theatrical releases can offer. The international expansion of the BFI Player means that the programming team is now buying rights for additional territories, including Sweden and Finland. While the films offered differ in each region, there is a significant overlap, with the core of the BFI Player remaining the same everywhere. The platform has acquired titles that are not available in other regions, such as "Sexy Beast," "Eraserhead," and Krzysztof Kieslowski’s "Three Colors" trilogy.
