For years, ad-supported streaming platforms like Tubi became one of the few places where independent filmmakers could actually get their films seen by millions. For a while, Tubi felt like the promised land for indie distribution: big audience, no paywall for viewers, and at least some revenue coming in.
But in 2025, more and more filmmakers are saying the same thing:
The money just isn’t hitting like it used to.
What’s Really Happening With Tubi and CPMs
Tubi runs on an AVOD model — ad-supported video on demand. That means filmmakers get paid based on advertising revenue, which is calculated using CPMs (cost per thousand ad impressions).
Here’s the problem:
CPMs across streaming have dropped. Hard.
As advertising budgets tighten and platforms flood the market with content, the value of each individual stream has gone down. When advertisers pay less, platforms make less — and filmmakers feel it first.
What filmmakers are reporting now:
- Lower CPMs than previous years
- Smaller payouts per view
- Needing massive view counts just to see modest revenue
In practical terms, many indie filmmakers say that tens of thousands of views can now result in only hundreds of dollars — sometimes less once aggregator cuts are taken out.
“You can get real numbers on Tubi and still feel broke.”
— common filmmaker sentiment online
So while Tubi still delivers visibility, it’s becoming harder to rely on it as a primary income source.
Filmmakers Are Speaking Up — And the Pattern Is Clear
Across indie filmmaker communities, the conversation has shifted.
Yes, people still appreciate Tubi for:
- Reach
- Discovery
- Accessibility
But the frustration is growing because:
- The work-to-reward ratio feels off
- Marketing still falls mostly on the filmmaker
- Revenue per view continues to shrink
In short:
Exposure without sustainability isn’t a business model.
That’s why more filmmakers are asking the real question now:
If Tubi isn’t paying like it used to… who’s next?
So What Platform Could Be the Next “Tubi” — But Actually Pay Better?
Here’s where things get interesting. The future isn’t one platform — it’s a mix of smarter platforms and better strategy.
Fawesome TV — Quietly One of the Strongest AVOD Libraries
This is where Fawesome TV deserves real attention.
Fawesome has:
- A massive content library
- Strong placement on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and smart TVs
- Heavy genre demand (especially horror, action, docs, and indie films)
What makes Fawesome important is scale + consistency. While payouts are still AVOD-based, filmmakers report steady performance because Fawesome’s audience is always watching and the catalog runs deep.
It’s not flashy.
But it’s working.
For indie filmmakers, especially genre creators, Fawesome TV is becoming one of the most reliable secondary platforms after Tubi — and in some cases, outperforming it over time.
YouTube Movies — Underrated and Often Overlooked
A lot of filmmakers sleep on YouTube Movies, and that’s a mistake.
Why?
- YouTube has the largest video audience on Earth
- Movies can earn through ads, rentals, or purchases
- Discoverability can spike if the algorithm catches traction
Unlike traditional AVOD platforms, YouTube allows:
- Direct audience building
- External marketing to actually matter
- Long-term tail revenue
For indie filmmakers who understand thumbnails, titles, and traffic funnels, YouTube Movies can outperform traditional AVOD over time, especially when paired with social media promotion.
Roku Channel — Platform Power Matters
The Roku Channel is another serious contender.
Why?
- Roku controls the operating system
- Massive built-in audience
- Prime placement on millions of TVs
Roku Channel films often benefit from:
- Homepage promotion
- Algorithmic recommendations
- Lower friction for viewers
For indie filmmakers, Roku isn’t just a channel — it’s infrastructure. And when your film lives inside the OS people already use, discoverability improves naturally.
Why Diversification Is the Only Real Answer
Here’s the independent, no-nonsense truth:
🔹 Tubi still matters — but it can’t be the only pillar anymore
🔹 Fawesome TV is becoming a quiet workhorse for indie films
🔹 YouTube Movies offers long-term upside most filmmakers ignore
🔹 Roku Channel benefits from platform control and massive reach
No single platform is going to save indie filmmakers.
But smart combinations will.
Independent Take: The New Indie Strategy
The filmmakers who will win moving forward are the ones who:
- Stop chasing one “magic platform”
- Spread their films across multiple AVOD ecosystems
- Combine platform exposure with direct audience building
- Treat distribution like a portfolio, not a lottery ticket
The real power move isn’t abandoning Tubi.
It’s outgrowing dependence on it.
Final Thought
Tubi helped open doors for indie filmmakers — no question. But with CPMs tightening and payouts shrinking, it’s no longer the financial answer it once seemed to be.
The next era belongs to filmmakers who:
- Think independently
- Diversify aggressively
- Leverage platforms like Fawesome TV, YouTube Movies, and Roku
- And build audiences they actually control
Exposure is easy.
Sustainable income is the new goal.
And the filmmakers who understand that shift early?
They’re the ones who will still be standing five years from now.
