What is Digital distribution?
'''Digital distribution''' (also named content delivery)''',''' is the delivery (through downloading) of any digital content, including audio, e-books, games, PDFs, pictures, software, and video. Digital distribution is handled through a digital distribution platform that's designed to stream the digital content or allow the content to be downloaded in full. The primary behavior of online distribution is its direct nature of distribution. == Benefits == To make a commercially successful work, [[Artist|artists]] usually must enter their industry's [[publishing]] chain. Publishers help artists [[advertise]], [[Funding|fund]] and [[Distribution (business)|distribute]] their work to [[retail]] outlets. In some industries, particularly video games, artists find themselves bound to publishers, and in many cases unable to make the content they want; the publisher might not think it will profit well. This can quickly lead to the standardization of the content and to the stifling of new, potentially risky ideas. By opting for online distribution, an artist can get their work into the public sphere of interest easily with potentially minimum business [[Overhead (business)|overhead]]. This often leads to cheaper goods for the [[consumer]], increased profits for the artists, as well as increased artistic freedom. Online distribution platforms typically contain or act as a form of [[digital rights management]]. Online distribution also opens the door to new business models (e.g., the [[Open Music Model]]). For instance, an artist could release one track from an album or one chapter from a book at a time instead of waiting for them all to be completed. This either gives them a cash boost to help continue their projects or indicates that their work might not be financially viable. This is hopefully done before they have spent excessive money and time on a project deemed to remain unprofitable. Video games have increased flexibility in this area, demonstrated by [[micropayment]] models. A clear result of these new models i