AVOD: The Definitive Guide to Ad-Based Video on Demand

AVOD ad-based on demand video monetization

Video content plays many roles in the professional world. Some businesses and organizations use videos for sales and marketing, and others use it to host remote events or training sessions.

Since trends in online video streaming are on the rise, many businesses and professional content creators are monetizing on-demand videos.

There are a few types of video monetization, but today we’re going to focus on ad-based video on demand. We will define this monetization method and talk about how it would look in action. 

We’ll also cover why it benefits you to use a professional solution to host and monetize your videos with examples of three hosting platforms that are equipped with AVOD capabilities.

Table of Contents:

  • 3 Monetization Methods: AVOD, SVOD, and TVOD
  • What is Video on Demand?
  • What is AVOD?
  • When to Monetize with AVOD
  • Why You Should Use AVOD with a Professional Video Hosting Platform
  • Video Hosting Platforms with AVOD Capabilities
  • Conclusion

3 Monetization Methods: AVOD, SVOD, and TVOD

svod vs avod
There are three different types of video monetization: AVOD, TVOD, and SVOD.

AVOD, SVOD, and TVOD are the three main types of video monetization. It is important to understand the distinctions between these methods before we dive into AVOD.

Each method is defined as follows: 

  • AVOD: Ad-based video on demand (AVOD) is a monetization method that serves advertisements. YouTube’s monetization model uses AVOD.
  • SVOD: Subscription-based video on demand (SVOD) is a monetization method that allows viewers to subscribe to your content on an annual, quarterly, or monthly basis.
  • TVOD: Transactional video on demand (TVOD) is a pay-per-view monetization model where viewers pay for each piece of content they view.

Please keep in mind that there is no “right” way to monetize your videos. You should choose what makes the most sense in terms of what your content entails and what your target audience is willing to commit to consuming the content.

What is Video on Demand?

Video on demand, which is often referred to as “VOD,” is almost exactly what it sounds like: it is uploaded video content that is accessed on demand.

Some popular VOD streaming services include Youtube, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix. These are services that viewers pay for in a few different ways

Disney+ and Netflix users pay with a standard subscription. Youtube and Hulu viewers “pay” by watching ads in addition to a standard subscription.

Professional broadcasters use advanced VOD hosting solutions to build VOD platforms.

What is AVOD?

AVOD is short for ad-based video on demand. This is a monetization method that serves ads to your viewers as opposed to having them pay a fee for watching your content. 

Think about the days when we only had satellite, cable, or even antenna television. Programs were interrupted several times to show you a commercial. AVOD is very similar to that. 

Advertisers will pay you a fee for every ad rendered on your video. There are platforms that are set up to automate the transactions between content creators and advertisers, so you don’t typically have to seek out or negotiate deals with the advertisers.

This type of video monetization was popularized with YouTube, but it has moved into the world of professional content creation. Businesses and professional organizations that set out to monetize their content with AVOD can use tools that are built into their website hosts or professional video hosting platforms.

While many professional hosting platforms offer secure paywalls, this is not something you’ll really need if you’re planning to use AVOD exclusively.

When to Monetize with AVOD

avod monetization
Not every video is meant to be monetized.

Not every video you upload should be monetized. For example, internal training videos or employee resources should not be monetized with ads (or at all). These pieces of content are investments that you’re making in your business.

However, if your goal in creating content is to make money, you’ll want to create content that is worth paying for. Although watching a 30-second advertisement doesn’t require your users to open their wallets, it does cost them their time.

You can use AVOD to monetize content that provides value to your audience in a multitude of ways. The content could be educational or it could be purely entertaining. 

Serving ads on a promotional video for your business isn’t in the best taste, but an industry-specific “how-to” or “crash course” is definitely ad-worthy.

People don’t always enjoy commercials or advertisements, so you have to use them tastefully so that you do not ruin the viewer’s experience. In order to give viewers the option to either save money or skip ads, some businesses use AVOD in combination with SVOD monetization.

Hulu is a streaming service—not to be confused with a professional video hosting platform which we’ll touch upon shortly—that uses an interesting mix between SVOD and AVOD. If you’re not familiar, Hulu is a video on demand streaming service that offers a collection of movies, series, documentaries, and more.

There are two general pricing plans for Hulu: with ads and without ads. Both of these packages offer unlimited streaming, but as their names suggest, one has ads and the other does not. 

Both of these packages require monthly subscriptions. Users can pay an additional $7/month to eliminate ads from their programs. Hulu may be making the same amount of money on both of these users, but the ad-free experience is for viewers who are willing and able to pay for convenience and luxury.

The monetization model you should go with really boils down to your audience. 

Will your viewers feel that the content in the video is worth paying for? Is your target audience able to afford a subscription or to pay as they go? Will your viewers be frustrated by ads?

If it makes sense for both your business and your audience, AVOD can be a great way to monetize your content.

Why You Should Use AVOD with a Professional Video Hosting Platform

video hosting platform
Paid video hosting tools overcome the limitations of free services, like YouTube.

A major claim for many professional video hosting platforms is that you can stream ad-free. As we mentioned, there are many reasons for using video content in the professional world, and sometimes, ads hinder the viewers’ experience.

However, if your goal is to monetize your content, using a professional video hosting platform that gives you the option to use ads is a bonus. YouTube is very well known for its ad-based monetization model, but it comes with some pesky restrictions.

Aside from the fact that you lose ownership of your content by broadcasting via YouTube and other free platforms, you must deal with time constraints and limitations on content. 

YouTube also requires that you meet milestones before opting into monetization. You must have 1000 subscribers and 4000 hours of watch time within a 12-month period.

When you host with a professional online video platform, you can start monetizing with AVOD from the get-go. There’s no jumping through hoops or waiting until you’re allowed to monetize.

Hosting with a professional platform puts you in control.

Video Hosting Platforms with AVOD Capabilities

There are several online video platforms that are equipped with monetization capabilities, but not all of them include ad-based video on demand.

Here are a few professional platforms that offer AVOD tools.

1. Dacast

dacast video hosting platform
Our advanced hosting platform is equipped with all of the monetization tools you need.

Dacast is an online video platform that fully supports ad-based video on demand. There are built-in tools for AVOD, but the platform is easily customizable with both player and video APIs. 

This means that if the native AVOD tools aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, you can mesh the features with external features to make it work better for you.

In addition to AVOD, Dacast supports SVOD and TVOD with a new and improved secure paywall. Even if you’re leaning towards AVOD, it is nice to have these options available if you decide to shift your approach in the future.

Dacast is equipped with advanced video hosting functions and is best suited for professional broadcasters. In addition to VOD hosting, Dacast also offers live streaming services.

2. Muvi

muvi live streaming video platform
Muvi offers AVOD in addition to TVOD and SVOD.

Muvi is another professional video hosting platform with AVOD monetization capabilities. In addition to ad-based monetization, Muvi offers both SVOD and TVOD options with a secure paywall, as well.

Since its most basic plans start at around $400/month, Muvi is considered a high-end video hosting solution, and it is definitely best suited for professional broadcasters.

3. Kaltura

kaltura vpaas live streaming platform
Although it lacks native monetization features, Kaltura integrates with any external monetization tools you may need.

Kaltura is a highly customizable video hosting platform that does not come with native AVOD capabilities. However, you can easily use integrations with external services to set up AVOD.

The beauty of this platform is that the customization options give you freedom and control over your video monetization. On the flip side, some users report that all of the possible customizations and features make the platform a bit difficult to navigate.

All of Kaltura’s plans are priced on a case-by-case basis.

Conclusion

avod platform
AVOD platform capabilities are extremely valuable if you plan to monetize your content with advertisements.

Using AVOD is a fantastic way to monetize your videos without requiring your audience to pay for them directly. Charging a few seconds of your viewers’ time in exchange for your content seems fair since it helps you make a bit of ad revenue for the content you’ve worked so hard on.

Now that you have a clear idea of how AVOD differs from SVOD and TVOD and the benefits of monetizing with advertisements, you should be able to easily identify if it is the method for you. 

Interested in testing Dacast’s ad-based monetization? Access this monetization feature with our 14-day risk-free trial. No credit card necessary.

GET STARTED FOR FREE

For additional information on AVOD, TVOD and SVOD and discussions about the Dacast live and on-demand video hosting solution, please join our Dacast LinkedIn group. Chat with professionals and other users about our platform and its many features.

Emily Krings

Emily is a strategic content writer and story teller. She specializes in helping businesses create blog content that connects with their audience.