How a video paywall works
When a viewer tries to play a title, the service checks whether their account is entitled to it. If it is, the stream starts. If not, the player shows an offer instead: the plans or the price that would unlock it.
The check has to happen on the server. A paywall that only hides the play button can be bypassed by anyone who finds the stream address.
Types of paywall
- Hard paywall: nothing plays without a subscription or purchase
- Freemium: part of the catalog is free, the rest is paid
- Metered: the first few episodes or minutes are free, then the paywall appears
- Per-title: each film or event has its own price
- Per-episode: episodes unlock one at a time, with coins or small payments
What makes a paywall effective
Placement matters more than design. A viewer who has watched a trailer or the first episodes has a reason to pay; one who meets the paywall before seeing anything does not.
Offer the cheapest sensible option first, keep sign-up and payment on one screen where the platform allows it, and protect the stream itself with signed URLs or DRM so that paying is the only way in.
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