GUIDE
Pricing a
micro-drama series
How to set free episodes, coin prices and VIP passes so new viewers get hooked and loyal viewers keep paying.
Start with free episodes
Most micro-drama apps let viewers watch the first episodes free, then ask them to unlock the rest. With NibbleFlix the unlock can be paid in coins, covered by a VIP pass or earned by watching an ad. The free run is your trailer, so it has to end at a moment people cannot walk away from.
- End on a cliffhanger. Put the paywall right after a twist, not in a quiet scene.
- Be consistent. Use a similar number of free episodes across series so viewers learn the pattern.
- Test it. Try a different cutoff on a new series and compare unlocks in the dashboard.
Setting coin prices
Coins are a virtual currency viewers buy in packs through in-app purchase. Each locked episode costs a set number of coins. Keep the maths simple enough that a viewer can tell what an episode costs at a glance.
| DECISION | WHAT TO CONSIDER |
|---|---|
| Coin packs | Offer three or four pack sizes. Larger packs can include bonus coins. |
| Episode price | A fixed number of coins per episode, ideally the same across series. |
| Series unlock | A discounted bundle for viewers who want to binge the whole story. |
| Store commission | Apple and Google charge a commission of up to 30% on in-app purchases. Price packs with that in mind. |
VIP passes for heavy viewers
A VIP pass unlocks every episode for a period of time. It suits viewers who watch several series a week and would otherwise spend coins on every episode.
- Offer short and long periods, for example weekly and monthly, so viewers can try before committing.
- Show the pass next to coin packs so viewers can compare the two on one screen.
- Make renewal terms clear before purchase, including how to cancel.
- Consider a yearly option with a discount for your most loyal audience.
Ads as a third way to unlock
Some viewers will never pay. Letting them watch an ad to unlock an episode keeps them in the story and still earns revenue. It also gives them time to get attached before they see a coin offer again.
Keep viewers coming back
- Daily check-in rewards. Give a few free coins for opening the app each day.
- New-episode push alerts. Tell viewers the moment the next episode of their series is out.
- Promotional offers. Run a first-purchase bonus or a weekend discount on coin packs.
- Review earnings weekly. Use the dashboard to see which series and prices perform, then adjust.
GET STARTED
Ready to launch your streaming app?
Talk to our team and see your branded app running in a live demo.
