UK service run by David Hughes and Stephen Moore sets sights on AFM, closing deals.
The UK TVOD space is increasingly congested. But TheHorrorShow.tv is a newcomer with a twist, being the first UK horror only VOD service.
“This is a go-to venue for horror fans,” says marketing consultant David Hughes, co-founder of the recently launched bespoke site.
“While some of our films are on iTunes, we’re building a specific community and a niche,” explains Hughes who set up the privately-backed site with former Fox and Disney executive Stephen Moore. “We have 4,000 followers on Twitter, 3,000 on Facebook.”
The site currently has about 55 films available for streaming and download to own with another 50 set to be available by the end of the year.
Most titles are rentable for £3.49 or buyable for £9.99 at the same time as their DVD release. Some are available before, while five are exclusive to the service – including FrightFest features Daylight and Saddiq 2 - with another five exclusives to go live soon.
Other titles include Excision, Dead Hooker in a Trunk, Sawney Flesh of Man, I Spit on Your Grave and The Human Centipede 2.
While the larger independent distributors continue to see value in niche genre titles, Hughes sees advantages in the company’s size and specialism: “It’s a competitive space,” he admits.
“Universal released American Mary; eOne is releasing Frankenstein’s Army; Lionsgate has always done well in the space [StudioCanal will release Haunter, Koch picked up V/H/S/2 and Cheap Thrills] - the niche has become the mainstream, on home entertainment at least.
“But those guys aren’t going to be able to see everything at FrightFest, for example. This week I’ve seen three good films from Canada without UK distribution. We’re getting ourselves into a good position and we’re now starting to pick up exclusive titles.”
Distribution partners to date include Monster Pictures, DLN and 101 Films while Hughes is in discussion with a number of larger indies, including one for a 100+ film deal. At the moment Hughes is cutting about 50% of his deals with producers and fifty percent with distributors.
As the team’s attention shifts towards its first AFM, the company’s profile and ambition continues to grow. Last month the site gained a Screen marketing and distribution award nomination for its VOD campaign for Short Stack, the bundle of shorts sold on the site for 99p, and it is now developing a smart TV app.
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