The Role of Blockchain in Revolutionizing Web Series Production and Distribution on Streaming Platforms

Abstract

Centralised streaming platforms have become the dominant mode for distributing web series and digital video content; however, they continue to face persistent challenges related to opaque royalty mechanisms, delayed payments, high intermediary commissions, limited creator autonomy, and widespread piracy. These limitations have raised concerns among independent creators and production houses regarding fairness, transparency, and sustainability. Block-chain technology, characterised by decentralisation, immutability, and programmable smart contracts, offers a promising alternative to conventional streaming infrastructures. This paper critically examines block-chain adoption within the media and entertainment sector and proposes a simulated block-chain-based streaming framework named IndieWeb Originals. The proposed model integrates Hyper ledger Fabric, decentralised storage systems, and non-fungible tokens for content access control and monetisation. Two detailed case studies—IndieWeb Originals and the real-world Theta Network—are analysed using performance metrics including royalty payout delay, creator revenue share, transparency, and piracy resistance. The analysis indicates that block-chain-based platforms can significantly reduce royalty settlement times while improving revenue transparency, creator earnings, and intellectual property protection. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions involving artificial intelligence-driven fraud detection, cross-chain interoperability, and global regulatory standardisation to support large-scale adoption.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/3117.4825.202502