Streaming services have exploded in popularity, but they all share a common problem – viewers invest hours of their time while platforms and advertisers pocket all the profit. This one-sided relationship is exactly what Zach Rothwell aims to fix with ApeFlix. A 14-year veteran of the entertainment industry, Zach has witnessed firsthand how traditional platforms fail to reward viewer loyalty. His solution? Create a streaming service that actually pays people to watch.
Flipping the Streaming Model Upside Down
Nobody likes sitting through ads. But what if those ads actually put money in your pocket? That’s the bet Zach is making with ApeFlix. “Viewers no longer just want to watch, they want to engage, interact and be rewarded for their time,” says Zach, reflecting on what drove him to start the company. After more than a decade watching major streaming services take viewers for granted, he decided to build something completely different.
The idea clicked when he realized how much value traditional platforms extract without giving back. “Most streaming platforms make money from subscriptions or ads, but viewers see none of that value,” he explains. ApeFlix works differently. Their ad-supported model lets people watch content free while earning real rewards based on their engagement. Watch a show, get a reward. Like something, earn more. Share with friends, boost your earnings. It’s not complicated, but it’s revolutionary for an industry that’s always taken viewer attention for granted.
Making Entertainment Feel More Like a Game
Sitting back and watching TV is fine, but Zach believes people want more from their entertainment. “We’ve integrated gamification into the ApeFlix experience,” he says. Forget passive viewing – ApeFlix lets viewers complete challenges, race up leaderboards, and unlock special perks while watching shows and movies. It turns an evening of streaming into something more interactive. This approach keeps viewers coming back in a way traditional platforms can’t match. By adding these game-like elements, ApeFlix transforms the entire experience. People don’t just watch – they participate.
Talk to anyone who makes content for a living and you’ll hear the same complaints: platforms take too much, pay too little, and never explain how they calculate payments. Zach has heard these frustrations repeatedly throughout his career. “For too long, content creators have been at the mercy of centralized platforms that take the majority of their earnings,” he says. What makes it worse is the complete lack of transparency. “The distribution model is so opaque in this industry,” Zach adds, clearly frustrated by what he’s seen.
ApeFlix tackles this head-on with blockchain technology that makes revenue sharing completely transparent. Creators see exactly how their content performs and get paid directly without mysterious deductions. “No hidden fees, no unfair cuts,” as Zach puts it. This transparency matters. When creators know they’re getting paid fairly, they create better content, which attracts more viewers, which benefits everyone. It’s a simple concept that somehow eluded the industry giants.
Building Connection Through Content
Ever noticed how watching a sports game is more fun with friends? The same principle applies to all entertainment. “ApeFlix isn’t just about watching, it’s about building a community,” Zach explains. The platform includes watch parties, social features, and better ways to discover content through friends. These additions make watching a show feel less like a solo activity and more like a shared experience. “When people feel like they’re part of something bigger, they engage more deeply,” says Zach. That deeper engagement transforms basic entertainment into something more meaningful.
For Zach, the future of streaming isn’t just about better technology or more content – it’s about changing the relationship between platforms, creators, and viewers. “The future of content consumption is more than just watching. It’s about engaging, earning, and being part of a community,” he concludes. After 14 years in the industry, he’s betting everything that viewers are ready for this change.
Connect with Zach Rothwell on LinkedIn to follow ApeFlix’s growth and get his latest insights on the future of interactive streaming.
