Module 5: Streaming Business Models & Monetization
The one non-engineering module in the catalog — understand how AVOD/SVOD/TVOD/FAST models drive different architecture and monetization choices, read platform case studies critically, and build a basic unit-economics case for a streaming product. Capstone: a monetization strategy pitch.
Prerequisites
None — designed to be accessible standalone, though it lands better after at least one engineering module.
Learning Outcomes
By the end, you can explain how AVOD/SVOD/TVOD/FAST models drive different architecture and monetization choices, read platform case studies critically, and build a basic unit-economics case for a streaming product.
Weekly Curriculum
Week 1Monetization Models & Platform Case Studies
AVOD, SVOD, FAST — the exact same content library can be three completely different businesses.
AVOD/SVOD/TVOD/FAST landscape and how each shapes technical requirements. Platform case studies (JioHotstar, Netflix, FAST channel operators). Unit economics fundamentals — CAC, ARPU, churn. Exercise: pick a monetization model for a hypothetical content library and justify it.
Week 2Podcast Economics, Business Case & Capstone
The architecture decision nobody questions — until someone asks what it costs per user.
Podcast dynamic ad insertion revenue model and why attribution is harder than video. Building a build-vs-buy business case — translating engineering decisions (own CDN vs managed, SSAI vs CSAI, multi-DRM) into cost/risk tradeoffs. Capstone: present a monetization strategy for a hypothetical streaming product, tied to 2–3 architecture decisions from Modules 1–4.
Who It's For
Engineers Wanting Business Context
Anyone who's taken an engineering module and wants to understand why those architecture decisions matter to the business.
Product & Strategy Roles
People evaluating build-vs-buy decisions for streaming infrastructure who need the technical vocabulary to talk to engineering.
Founders / Early-Stage Teams
Anyone scoping a new streaming product who needs a grounded view of AVOD/SVOD/FAST economics before committing to an architecture.
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Pricing
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