Plexthe software for managing and organizing media servers, is about to launch one store online dedicated to the purchase and rental of films and TV series. A demonstration of the fact that the service is changing course.
Plex, a store arrives to buy films and TV series
Plex is changing. If it once focused only on managing users’ films and series (which it hoped they had obtained legally), in recent years it has launched streaming channels and the ability to track films and series on other services such as Netflix and Disney+ on the Discover page . The arrival of a store where you can buy series and films further enriches Plex’s possibilities.
Executive Janko Roettgers, in an interview on Lowpass, explains that this is a strategic expansion for Plex. Until now, revenue for the streaming service has only come from advertising. Now, comes another way to power the service.
A large variety of titles
The free titles available on Plex, so far, have mainly included the so-called “B Movies”, small budget films from a few decades ago, alongside black and white classics. But with the possibility of purchasing films and series, we should be able to have all the latest news.
According to Roettgers, “most studios” are ready for the store debut, with clear plans to expand the catalog shortly after launch. The digital store will also integrate all the features of Plex: you will therefore be able to keep track of films and TV series, find what’s new on the Discover page. As is also the case with other streaming services.
A response to a complicated period
The news represents an important step for Plex, which went through a complicated period from 2020 to June 2023, as The Verge explains. The company announced last year, in fact, the dismissal of 20% of staff. A decision also arrived at due to the significant impact of the global crisis on the advertising markets. Now, chief product officer Scott Olechowski said Plex’s advertising business is experiencing growth. But it seems that the company is also aiming for something else.
The introduction of the new store will further solidify Plex’s position in the digital entertainment industry. And it will provide users with free ad-supported content as well as premium content that can be purchased or rented.
But the news doesn’t stop there. Plex has a “pretty major user experience update“, to make it easier to watch movies, TV shows and FAST (free, ad-supported streaming) channels. Furthermore, the platform wants to integrate better social functionalityincluded public profiles.
Will these innovations be able to expand Plex’s user base, without displeasing long-time users, fond of when it was just a media server? It’s difficult to say at the moment. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments.
