Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Content Diversification Strategy for Streaming Service in the Digital Media Sector
     Joseph Robinson    |    Health, Safety, and Environment


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Health, Safety, and Environment to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A well-established streaming service faced declining subscriber growth and increased churn due to limited content variety and failure to meet rising demand for health, safety, and environment-focused content. By diversifying its content portfolio through strategic partnerships and launching an HSE Content Innovation Lab, the company successfully improved subscriber engagement, reduced churn, and shifted brand perception positively.

Reading time: 11 minutes

Consider this scenario: A well-established streaming service is facing a strategic challenge in maintaining its market dominance amid increasing competition and shifting consumer preferences toward content that adheres to health, safety, and environment (HSE) principles.

The company has experienced a 5% decline in subscriber growth rate and a 7% increase in churn rate over the past year, attributed to its limited content variety and failure to align with the growing HSE content demand. External challenges include the rapid emergence of niche streaming platforms and tightening regulations around content compliance. Internally, the organization struggles with content acquisition and production bottlenecks. The primary strategic objective is to diversify its content portfolio to include more HSE-focused offerings, thereby improving subscriber growth and retention.



The organization is at a crossroads, with stagnating growth indicators pointing toward an urgent need for strategic redirection. A deeper analysis suggests the core issues stem from an overly narrow content focus and a misalignment with evolving consumer values around health, safety, and environmental sustainability. The leadership is concerned that without immediate and decisive action, the service risks losing relevance in a highly competitive and rapidly changing digital media landscape.

Industry & Market Analysis

The digital streaming industry is witnessing exponential growth, driven by changing consumer behaviors favoring on-demand, personalized content. However, this growth is coupled with challenges including increasing content production costs and intensifying competition.

Understanding the competitive dynamics involves analyzing the primary forces shaping the industry:

  • Internal Rivalry: High, with major platforms aggressively expanding their content libraries and entering new markets.
  • Supplier Power: Moderate, as content creators gain more platforms to distribute their work, increasing bargaining power.
  • Buyer Power: High, due to low switching costs and an abundance of service options.
  • Threat of New Entrants: Medium, given the significant initial investment required but offset by the potential for niche markets.
  • Threat of Substitutes: High, from free streaming services, traditional TV, and other forms of entertainment.

Emerging trends include a shift toward HSE-conscious content and the integration of interactive and immersive viewing experiences. Major changes in industry dynamics include:

  • Increased consumer demand for content with HSE themes, presenting both a market opportunity and a challenge in content curation and production.
  • Technological advancements enabling more interactive and personalized content, necessitating ongoing investment in tech capabilities.
  • Regulatory pressures around content compliance and data privacy, introducing both operational challenges and market entry barriers.

PESTLE analysis highlights significant political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors influencing the industry, such as regulatory changes, shifting societal values towards sustainability, and technological advancements in content delivery and production.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Health, Safety, and Environment best practices:

ISO 45001:2018 (OH&S) Awareness Training (73-slide PowerPoint deck and supporting PDF)
Form 003 Pre Start Briefing (2-page Word document)
Health, Safety and Environmental Management Plan (29-page Word document)
Form 002 - Safe Work Method Statement Template (8-page Word document)
Form 007 - HSE Weekly Inspection (2-page Word document)
View additional Health, Safety, and Environment best practices

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Internal Assessment

The organization has established a robust market presence with a loyal subscriber base and a strong brand identity. However, it faces challenges in content diversification and alignment with HSE principles.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths include a well-developed content delivery platform and a global subscriber base. Opportunities lie in expanding the content portfolio to include HSE-focused offerings and leveraging emerging technologies for content innovation. Weaknesses are evident in content acquisition and production bottlenecks. Threats stem from increasing competition and shifting consumer preferences.

Organizational Design Analysis

The current organizational structure, with its centralized decision-making and siloed departments, hampers agility and innovation in content development and acquisition. A more decentralized and cross-functional team approach could enhance content diversity and speed to market.

4 Actions Framework Analysis

By applying the 4 Actions Framework, the streaming service can identify opportunities to create new HSE content offerings (Create), enhance the user experience through technology (Raise), reduce reliance on traditional content acquisition methods (Eliminate), and streamline content production processes (Reduce).

Strategic Initiatives

  • Launch an HSE Content Innovation Lab: Establish a dedicated team to develop and acquire content focusing on health, safety, and environmental themes, aiming to capture growing consumer interest in these areas. This initiative will create value by positioning the streaming service as a leader in HSE content, expected to drive subscriber growth and retention. It will require investment in talent acquisition, content production, and technology development.
  • Strategic Partnerships with HSE-focused Content Creators: Form partnerships with filmmakers and studios specializing in HSE content to expand the service's offerings. This initiative aims to quickly diversify content libraries with minimal production risk, creating value through increased subscriber engagement and differentiation. Resource requirements include partnership management capabilities and investment in co-production agreements.
  • Technology Investment for Enhanced Content Discovery: Develop and implement advanced algorithms and user interface enhancements to improve content discoverability, especially for HSE-themed content. This initiative will create value by enhancing user experience, driving higher engagement rates, and reducing churn. It will require investment in software development and analytics target=_blank>data analytics expertise.

Health, Safety, and Environment Implementation KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Efficiency is doing better what is already being done.
     – Peter Drucker

  • Subscriber Growth Rate: An increase will indicate successful market penetration and content strategy alignment with consumer preferences.
  • Content Engagement Metrics: Higher engagement with HSE-themed content will demonstrate the effectiveness of content diversification strategies.
  • Churn Rate: A reduction will signal improved subscriber satisfaction and service value.

These KPIs offer insights into the strategic plan's impact on market position, subscriber base health, and the streaming service's alignment with evolving market trends and consumer values.

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Stakeholder Management

Successful implementation of strategic initiatives requires the collaboration and support of both internal and external stakeholders, including content creators, technology partners, and the marketing team.

  • Content Creators: Essential for producing and acquiring HSE-focused content.
  • Technology Partners: Vendors and IT teams responsible for developing the content discovery and recommendation algorithms.
  • Marketing Team: Critical for promoting new content offerings and engaging with target audiences.
  • Subscribers: As the primary audience, their feedback is crucial for continuous improvement.
  • Regulatory Bodies: Ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards.
...
Stakeholder GroupsRACI
Content Creators
Technology Partners
Marketing Team

We've only identified the primary stakeholder groups above. There are also participants and groups involved for various activities in each of the strategic initiatives.

Learn more about Stakeholder Management Change Management Focus Interviewing Workshops Supplier Management

Health, Safety, and Environment Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Health, Safety, and Environment. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Health, Safety, and Environment subject matter experts.

Health, Safety, and Environment Deliverables

These are a selection of deliverables across all the strategic initiatives.

  • Content Diversification Strategic Plan (PPT)
  • HSE Content Acquisition Roadmap (PPT)
  • Technology Upgrade Plan (PPT)
  • Partnership Strategy and Framework (PPT)
  • Subscriber Engagement and Retention Model (Excel)

Explore more Health, Safety, and Environment deliverables

Launch of HSE Content Innovation Lab

The strategic initiative to launch a Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Content Innovation Lab was underpinned by the application of the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Value Chain Analysis. The Resource-Based View, a framework that focuses on leveraging a company's internal capabilities and resources to achieve a competitive advantage, proved instrumental. It was particularly useful in this initiative for identifying unique resources the streaming service could exploit to develop and curate HSE content that resonates with its audience.

Following the RBV framework, the organization executed the following steps:

  • Conducted an internal audit to catalog and evaluate existing resources, including creative talent, technology infrastructure, and partnerships that could support the HSE Content Innovation Lab.
  • Identified gaps in resources necessary for the lab's success and developed a strategic plan to acquire these resources, such as hiring subject matter experts in HSE and investing in content production technology.

Value Chain Analysis was also employed to dissect the company's activities and identify how each could be optimized to add value to the HSE content creation process. This analysis was pivotal in pinpointing areas where the company could differentiate itself and enhance the value offered to its subscribers through unique HSE content.

Implementing the Value Chain Analysis involved:

  • Mapping out the company's entire value chain from content ideation to delivery, highlighting activities directly involved in the development of HSE content.
  • Identifying opportunities within these activities to increase efficiency, reduce costs, or enhance content quality, such as streamlining content approval processes or employing advanced analytics for content performance tracking.

The results from implementing these frameworks were significant. The Resource-Based View enabled the streaming service to strategically align its internal resources with the goal of becoming a leader in HSE content. Meanwhile, the Value Chain Analysis illuminated pathways to not only create but also deliver this content more effectively, leading to a marked increase in subscriber engagement with HSE-themed content and a positive shift in brand perception.

Strategic Partnerships with HSE-focused Content Creators

For the strategic initiative of forming partnerships with HSE-focused content creators, the organization applied the Strategic Alliances Framework alongside the Core Competence Model. The Strategic Alliances Framework facilitated the identification, formation, and management of partnerships with content creators who shared a commitment to health, safety, and environmental sustainability. This framework was crucial for navigating the complexities of collaborative relationships and ensuring mutual value creation.

The organization followed these steps in applying the Strategic Alliances Framework:

  • Evaluated potential partners based on their alignment with the company's HSE values, content quality, and audience reach.
  • Structured agreements that defined clear roles, shared goals, and mechanisms for conflict resolution to ensure long-term partnership success.

The Core Competence Model was instrumental in this initiative by emphasizing the streaming service's unique strengths and how these could be complemented by the capabilities of content creators. This approach ensured that partnerships were strategically aligned and focused on co-creating value that neither party could achieve independently.

Implementing the Core Competence Model involved:

  • Identifying the company's core competencies in content distribution, technology infrastructure, and market reach.
  • Seeking out content creators with complementary competencies, such as niche HSE content production capabilities or innovative storytelling techniques.

The strategic application of these frameworks led to the establishment of fruitful partnerships with several leading HSE content creators. These alliances not only expanded the streaming service's content library with high-quality, impactful HSE content but also strengthened its position as a platform committed to promoting health, safety, and environmental awareness. The initiative resulted in increased subscriber interest in HSE content and enhanced the service's reputation for social responsibility.

Technology Investment for Enhanced Content Discovery

The initiative to invest in technology for enhanced content discovery was guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Customer Journey Mapping technique. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory, which explains how new ideas and technologies spread within a market, was pivotal in understanding how to effectively introduce and promote the use of new content discovery features among the subscriber base. This theoretical framework helped predict subscriber adoption rates and identify strategies to accelerate the adoption process.

Key steps taken in applying the Diffusion of Innovations Theory included:

  • Segmenting the subscriber base into adopter categories based on their readiness to embrace new technologies.
  • Developing targeted communication strategies for each segment to highlight the benefits and ease of use of the new content discovery features.

Customer Journey Mapping was utilized to gain a holistic view of the subscriber's experience with the platform, from initial content search to viewing. This technique was essential for identifying pain points in the content discovery process and opportunities for technological enhancements to improve user satisfaction.

The application of Customer Journey Mapping involved:

  • Mapping out the end-to-end content discovery journey of different subscriber personas.
  • Identifying key touchpoints where technological improvements could significantly enhance the content discovery experience.

The outcomes of these strategic efforts were transformative. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory enabled the streaming service to effectively roll out and promote its enhanced content discovery technology, resulting in rapid adoption and improved user engagement. Simultaneously, insights gained from Customer Journey Mapping led to targeted technology investments that significantly reduced friction in the content discovery process, elevating the overall subscriber experience and contributing to a decrease in churn rate.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Established fruitful partnerships with leading HSE content creators, expanding the content library with high-quality, impactful content.
  • Launched an HSE Content Innovation Lab, leading to a marked increase in subscriber engagement with HSE-themed content.
  • Implemented advanced algorithms and user interface enhancements, significantly improving content discoverability and user experience.
  • Achieved a positive shift in brand perception towards a platform committed to promoting health, safety, and environmental awareness.
  • Subscriber growth rate increased, indicating successful market penetration and alignment with consumer preferences.
  • Churn rate decreased, signaling improved subscriber satisfaction and service value.

The strategic initiatives undertaken by the streaming service to diversify its content portfolio with HSE-focused offerings have yielded significant positive outcomes. The establishment of strategic partnerships and the launch of the HSE Content Innovation Lab have not only expanded the content library with high-quality, impactful content but also led to a marked increase in subscriber engagement. The investment in technology to enhance content discoverability has significantly improved the user experience, contributing to a decrease in churn rate and a positive shift in brand perception. However, the results were not without challenges. The initial investment in talent acquisition, content production, and technology development was substantial, and the return on investment (ROI) took longer than anticipated to materialize. Additionally, while subscriber growth and retention improved, achieving a competitive edge in the highly saturated market remains a continuous challenge. Alternative strategies, such as more aggressive marketing campaigns or further investments in exclusive content production, could have potentially accelerated growth and strengthened market position.

For next steps, it is recommended to continue investing in the HSE Content Innovation Lab, focusing on leveraging data analytics to better understand subscriber preferences and tailor content accordingly. Expanding strategic partnerships globally could also help in diversifying content offerings and reaching wider audiences. Additionally, exploring new technologies such as AI for personalized content recommendations and VR for immersive viewing experiences could further enhance user engagement and satisfaction. Continuous monitoring of industry trends and consumer preferences will be crucial in maintaining relevance and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital streaming landscape.

Source: Content Diversification Strategy for Streaming Service in the Digital Media Sector, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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