Learn here in brief what pay-per-view (PPV) is, how it works and why it is particularly suitable for certain content. We highlight the advantages and disadvantages of PPV compared to subscription, on-demand and paywall models and use a sample calculation to show you how the costs can compare. This will help you decide whether PPV is right for you.
Pay-per-view (PPV) is a payment model where you only pay once for access to special content, such as sporting events, concerts or films. Unlike subscriptions such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, you only pay if you want to watch a specific event or program.
The model is primarily used for live events such as boxing matches, UFC fights or wrestling in order to monetize exclusive content.
How does PPV work?
Payment per event: One-off costs for access to special content.
Exclusive broadcasts: Often used for live events that are not included in subscriptions.
Easy access: Available via TV providers or online streaming platforms.
Why use PPV?
PPV is ideal if you only want to pay for content that really interests you. It offers flexibility and the advantage of not being tied to a subscription. For providers, it means direct revenue without long-term customer commitments.
Comparison with other models
Subscription: Monthly payment, unlimited access, no exclusive events.
On-demand purchase: Similar to PPV, but content is often available for longer.
Paywall: Access to articles or videos only for paying users; often in the form of subscriptions or per article.
PPV: Higher price per event, but no recurring costs.
Sample calculation: How much does PPV cost in comparison?
Imagine you want to watch three sporting events a month:
Pay-per-view (PPV): Each event costs €20. For three events you pay 60 € per month
Subscription (e.g. DAZN): €30 per month for unlimited access to many events and content
Paywall (e.g. articles): One article costs €2. For ten articles per month you pay 20 €
If you watch regularly, a subscription can be cheaper. But if you only want to watch one or two specific events, PPV offers more flexibility and potentially even savings because you’re not paying for unused content. With paywalls, you only pay for the specific content you want to consume, which is an alternative to PPV for other types of content.
PPV is ideal for occasional viewers and fans of exclusive live events. It allows for targeted spending without a long-term commitment, but can be expensive if you consume content regularly. A subscription could be more cost-effective in such cases. Paywalls, on the other hand, offer a flexible payment option for text-based or multimedia content and complement the PPV model in the digital monetization landscape.
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