EST

Electronic Sell-Through

A way for consumers to buy digital content permanently via the internet. In the EST model, a customer pays a one-time fee to gain ongoing access to a movie, television show, or other forms of digital media content. Once purchased, the consumer can download or stream their content anytime, with no expiration date or viewing limitations.

This model is popular for viewers who want to own digital copies of their favorite content, mirroring the ownership experience of physical media like DVDs or Blu-ray discs but with the convenience of digital access. Various TVOD digital retailers offer EST, including iTunes, Amazon Video, and Google Play.

For the sales and marketing sector, EST represents a valuable market segment. As physical media sales continue to decline, EST allows studios and distributors to sell their content directly to consumers without the overhead associated with physical products. Marketers can capitalize on EST by creating campaigns that encourage the digital collection of series or films, promoting the purchase of content in conjunction with other digital goods or services, or offering exclusive digital releases or special editions that are only available through EST.

• Abbreviation: EST