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Netflix continues to disrupt film, television, media, and entertainment industries. It has even made Hollywood heavyweights and billionaires like Steven Spielberg squeal. While it’s come into its own this decade, Netflix launched in 1998 as the world’s first online DVD rental store. Its unique business model destroyed the likes of Blockbuster, a former movie rental powerhouse, and many others. Moreover, its growing content library, original programming, and international expansion have expedited cord-cutting globally. According to a Nielsen study, “cord-cutters in the US has grown by 48 percent over the past eight years. Apparently, 16 million homes no longer have traditional cable or satellite TV subscriptions, which means 14 percent of all households with TVs in the US exclusively watch over-the-air programming.” Over-the-air (OTA) is a synonym for wireless.
Media companies are gunning for Netflix. In an ongoing battle for people’s attention and money, Netflix has ushered in a wave of competitors, for example, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Also, companies and divisions such as Disney, HBO, CBS, and many others will or plan to offer streaming services.
Netflix stock continues to flourish. A one-dollar investment in the early 2000s would be worth thousands today for astronomical return on investment. Secondly, Netflix is a FANG company. FANG is an acronym for four high-performing technology stocks that includes Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google (now Alphabet, Inc.). Since 2017, the FANG list has been expanded to include Apple and the acronym is now referred to as FAANG.
Netflix Affiliate Program
Netflix used to embrace affiliate marketing as a growth strategy. It had paid a generous commission per lead. However, it has since phased out its program as it has grown through other means, including word-of-mouth and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.
The termination of its affiliate program was terrible for publishers since conversion rates, commissions, and earnings per click were likely robust. Having said that, affiliates have many alternatives to Netflix. Affiliates in this space can also promote items from these categories:
- Television
- Movies
- Music
- Consumer electronics
- Radio
- Entertainment
Over-the-air, streaming video, and media merchants typically compensate publishers in two ways. Affiliates may generate one-time or recurring sales commissions for getting users to subscribe. Also, advertisers may pay per lead via free trial and account sign-ups.
The Top Affiliate Programs
Publishers want to promote the top affiliate programs because they can yield more commissions. It’s as simple as that. Other articles highlight “the best programs,” but most of them include random and unvetted merchants that won’t increase your earnings. Let’s identify what excellent and profitable affiliate programs have in common.
A Fair Variable or Fixed Commission
Advertisers who pay single to low double-digit commission rates (or who nickel and dime publishers) aren’t worth your consideration. (Note: some industries pay low commission rates because they operate on thin margins.) A commission rate of 20 percent is the benchmark I use. For fixed commissions, rates are subjective.
A Minimum Cookie Length of 30 Days
Giving marketers one or a few days to convert traffic is ridiculous and unfair. By contrast, a 30-day conversion period allows for prospects to become customers and affiliates to get credit for their promotional efforts. Although thirty-day referral periods are a standard industry practice, a minimum of 90 days should be commonplace.
Other Factors
Other factors you should consider are a program’s earnings per click (EPC), payout threshold, deep linking capabilities, and affiliate support. You’ll want to partner with merchants/affiliate managers who are intelligent, fair, responsive, and quick to resolve inquiries. The affiliate tracking software a merchant chooses is also critical to achieving success. Learn how to choose affiliate products and programs.
Netflix Affiliate Programs Alternatives
Let’s review the best Netflix affiliate program alternatives. I’ve also included media companies that compete indirectly. Many of the programs on this list are available on the top affiliate networks, including ShareASale, Impact, CJ Affiliate, and FlexOffers. These programs and networks are excellent for bloggers, YouTubers, beginners, and experienced marketers. A company might not mention an affiliate program on its website but may have one. Merchants typically link to their affiliate programs in their website menus and footers, and some offer programs on multiple networks.
- Amazon – $3 commission
Prime Video, also referred to as Amazon Prime Video, is an internet video-on-demand (VOD) service that is developed, owned, and operated by Amazon. Viewers enjoy exclusive Amazon Originals as well as popular movies and TV shows. Learn about the Amazon Prime Video affiliate program.
- Apple – Up to 7%
Apple’s affiliate program provides a unique way for you to link to millions of songs and albums, as well as books, audiobooks, movies, and TV shows. Learn about the Apple affiliate program.
- AMC Networks – $5
AMC Networks owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in television and film including AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV, WE, and more. Learn about the AMC Networks affiliate program on CJ Affiliate (to promote Shudder and SundanceNow subscriptions).
- CBS All Access – $9
CBS All Access is a video streaming subscription service owned and operated by CBS Interactive. It offers original content and more. Learn about the CBS All Access affiliate program.
- Dazn – Up to $24
DAZN (pronounced ”da zone”) is a live sports streaming service. Learn about the Dazn affiliate program on FlexOffers.
- Dish Network – $100
Dish Network provides entertainment and technology to millions of customers with its satellite DISH TV and streaming Sling TV services. Learn about the Dish Network affiliate program.
- ESPN+ – $5
ESPN+ is a video streaming subscription service available in the United States. Subscribers can stream live sports, ESPN originals, exclusive studio programming, and more. Learn about the ESPN+ affiliate program on Impact.
- Hulu – Up to $20
Hulu subscribers enjoy the season’s hottest shows, hit movies, and original programming all in one place with unlimited streaming. Learn about the Hulu affiliate program on FlexOffers.
- FuboTV – Up to $35
FuboTV is an American internet television service that focuses primarily on live sports, including NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and international soccer games. Learn about the FuboTV affiliate program.
- Philo – $10
Philo is an internet television company offering more than 40 channels of live and on-demand TV, as well as channel apps. Learn about the Philo affiliate program on CJ Affiliate.
- Plex – $10
Plex users gain access to tv shows, videos, movies, photos, and podcasts on any device, anywhere in the world. Learn about the Plex affiliate program on CJ Affiliate.
- Pure Flix – Up to $15
Pure Flix strives to be the most trusted faith and family-friendly video streaming service on the web. Learn about the Pure Flix affiliate program on CJ Affiliate.
- Roku – 5%
Roku provides online media players to stream hundreds of hit movies, TV shows, and more. Learn about the Roku affiliate program.
- SiriusXM – Up to $12
SiriusXM is the world’s largest audio entertainment company, and the premier programmer and platform for subscription- and advertising-supported audio products. Learn about the SiriusXM affiliate program.
- Sling – Up to $20
In the United States, Sling TV users can stream ESPN, HGTV, AMC, and more than a dozen other stations. Sling International carries more than 180 channels in 15 languages. Learn about the Sling affiliate program on CJ Affiliate.
- Starz – $5
Starz is a global media and entertainment company that produces and distributes streaming content to audiences worldwide. Learn about the Starz affiliate program on CJ Affiliate.
Contact me on LinkedIn to add your affiliate program to the list.