SVOD, AVOD, TVOD and FAST: explain the intended use

Digital distribution includes several different viewing and revenue models. Their abbreviations can help describe an acquisition brief, but the agreement must define the actual permitted use.

Subscription and transactional viewing

SVOD commonly refers to subscription video on demand: viewers pay for access to a service’s library. TVOD commonly describes individual rental or purchase access. A transactional proposal should specify which modes it needs and any intended rental period or viewing conditions.

Advertising-supported viewing

AVOD describes advertising-supported on-demand access. FAST describes scheduled, advertising-supported streaming channels. A FAST channel’s linear schedule and an AVOD library’s user-selected playback should be discussed separately, even when the same service offers both.

Define more than the abbreviation

• Name the services and viewing models covered by the request.
• List the territories, term and language versions.
• State whether exclusivity is essential or negotiable.
• Clarify promotional use of trailers, clips and artwork.
• Identify any holdbacks or existing licences that affect the proposed launch.

Keep additional rights explicit

Theatrical exhibition, broadcast television, airline entertainment, educational use and remake rights should not be inferred from a general digital distribution label. The relevant rights holder must confirm the requested grant for each title.

Use these descriptions to organize a brief, then document the actual permission in the licensing agreement. Energy2Karma’s rights and licensing page provides an enquiry starting point; title-specific availability is confirmed during acquisition discussions.