Roy Price Unveils Micro‑Series Platform That Keeps Creators 70%

Roy Price, the former chief of Amazon Studios who left the company in 2017, unveiled a new venture aimed at democratizing television production. The platform, called *The Number One Best Website*—abbreviated as N1BW—was announced on Tuesday during a livestream in Los Angeles.

The service is positioned as a YouTube‑style marketplace where creators can produce, host, and monetize short‑form series.

Price’s exit from Amazon followed a series of allegations of sexual harassment that he has denied. After stepping down, he relocated to Hong Kong and founded International Art Machine. In 2023 he published op‑eds about Hollywood and later addressed the controversy surrounding his departure in a Substack newsletter.

N1BW is presented as a tool that lowers entry barriers for independent creators. It promises a revenue share model where creators keep 70 % of what viewers pay, while the platform retains 30 %. The site also offers a “job board” feature to assemble production teams, streamlining contracts and payments for everyone involved.

## Background & Context

### Amazon’s Studio Division Under Price

When Roy Price took the helm of Amazon Studios in 2015, the division was still carving out its identity in a market dominated by legacy networks and emerging streaming giants. Over his tenure, he steered Amazon into producing a string of critically acclaimed originals—*The Marvelous Mrs.

Maisel*, *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy, and *The Man in the High Castle*—that helped cement Amazon’s reputation as a serious contender in high‑budget storytelling. His leadership style was often described as both visionary and hands‑on, favoring bold narrative choices while encouraging collaboration across departments.

### The Rise of Micro‑Series

Parallel to Amazon’s growth, the broader television ecosystem witnessed a surge in short‑form content. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Vimeo have given rise to micro‑series—short, serialized narratives that can be produced on modest budgets and consumed on demand.

The appeal lies in their accessibility: creators no longer need deep pockets or long‑term studio commitments to tell compelling stories. They can focus on niche audiences, experiment with formats, and iterate quickly based on viewer feedback.

### A Crowded Marketplace

N1BW enters a marketplace populated by a growing number of micro‑series platforms. Early adopters include creators who have broken into the space through Patreon or Kickstarter, then leveraged distribution on platforms like Vimeo On Demand or the now‑discontinued HBO Max's short‑form offerings.

Industry figures such as Susan Rovner, Jana Winograde, Lloyd Braun, Bill Block, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Issa Rae have launched or partnered with platforms that aim to bypass traditional studio pipelines and offer creators greater creative control and financial upside.

## What the Platform Offers

### A “YouTube‑for Micro‑Series” Experience

Price described N1BW as a hybrid of a content hosting platform and a collaborative production hub. Creators can set up a new series, upload episodes, and assign a price to each episode or to the entire season.

Revenue automatically splits: 70 % goes directly to the creator, while 30 % is retained by N1BW as platform fees and service costs.

### Built‑In Crew Management

One of the standout features is the integrated crew recruitment system. Rather than negotiating separate contracts for actors, editors, cinematographers, and other crew members, creators can invite participants through the platform’s job board.

Once a team member accepts an offer, their compensation and participation terms are locked into a master contract that spans the entire project. This eliminates the administrative headache that often stalls independent productions.

> Price said. “On N1BW, if someone joins a project, then their participation is already figured out.”

### Creative Pool Incentives

Beyond the standard revenue split, creators who successfully assemble a production team and keep the project running can earn an additional 20 % from a “creative pool.” This incentive is designed to reward collaborative success and encourage creators to attract high‑quality talent.

### Monetization Flexibility

Creators have the option to offer free previews, tiered subscription models, or pay‑per‑view access. The platform’s analytics dashboard provides real‑time insights into viewer demographics, engagement rates, and revenue streams—data that is essential for creators looking to refine their content strategy.

## Fan and Creator Reaction

### Early Adopters

Within the first week of its launch, N1BW saw an influx of independent creators, many of whom had previously struggled to secure consistent funding or distribution. A notable example is a low‑budget drama series produced by a group of indie filmmakers from the Midwest.

They cited N1BW’s streamlined contract system as the key factor that allowed them to bring their project to life without external investors.

Another early user, an experimental filmmaker based in Brooklyn, leveraged the platform’s “creative pool” to attract a talented composer and cinematographer. The additional 20 % incentive helped cover post‑production costs, allowing the team to focus on artistic experimentation rather than budget constraints.

### Community Feedback

On social media, creators praised N1BW for its transparent revenue model and user‑friendly interface. Some expressed excitement about the potential to reach niche audiences without competing against large studio releases. A few critics, however, raised concerns about platform fees and the possibility of paywalls limiting audience reach.

Price acknowledged these concerns in a follow‑up livestream, emphasizing that the 30 % cut includes robust marketing support and distribution services that would otherwise cost creators substantial amounts.

### Industry Speculation

Prominent creators and influencers within the indie filmmaking community have taken to podcasts and YouTube channels to discuss the implications of N1BW.

The general consensus is that if the platform can deliver on its promises, it could become a staple tool for micro‑series producers, potentially shifting how storytelling is approached in the digital age.

## Next Steps and Industry Implications

### Potential for Disruption

If N1BW gains traction, it could challenge established streaming services that dominate the short‑form market. By offering a lower entry barrier and higher revenue share to creators, the platform invites a fresh wave of content that may appeal to audiences tired of mainstream offerings.

### Studio Reactions

Major studios are likely to monitor N1BW’s growth closely.

The platform’s success could pressure traditional networks to rethink how they package and sell short‑form content, perhaps by offering more flexible licensing deals or by creating their own micro‑series incubators. the integrated crew management system might inspire studios to develop internal tools that streamline production pipelines for low‑budget projects.

### Long‑Term Vision

Price hinted at a broader vision: “I think that’s quite doable now with micro‑series,” he said. “I imagine it’ll grow into other media.” This suggests an ambition beyond television, potentially extending into podcasts, interactive storytelling, and even virtual reality experiences.

If N1BW can establish itself as a versatile production ecosystem, it may serve as a launchpad for multi‑platform narratives that blur the lines between traditional media formats.

### Community Building

Another critical factor for N1BW’s sustainability will be community building. Price has expressed interest in hosting virtual workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events to help creators navigate the complexities of independent production.

Such initiatives could foster a loyal user base that not only consumes content but also actively contributes to the platform’s ecosystem.

### Financial Sustainability

While the 70/30 revenue split is attractive to creators, it remains to be seen whether N1BW can maintain profitability over time. The platform will need to balance offering competitive fees with investing in marketing, technical infrastructure, and legal support.

A possible approach could involve tiered subscription plans for power users, premium services for larger projects, or partnerships with brands interested in product placement within micro‑series.

## Conclusion

Roy Price’s launch of *The Number One Best Website* marks a significant moment for independent creators and the broader television landscape. By combining a transparent revenue model with built‑in crew management and creative incentives, N1BW addresses pain points that have historically limited the growth of short‑form storytelling.

Early adopters are already testing the platform’s promise, and industry observers are keen to see whether this new entrant can reshape how content is produced, distributed, and monetized.

As the micro‑series ecosystem evolves, N1BW could become a catalyst for a new era of democratized television—one where creative vision and audience engagement take center stage over traditional gatekeeping.