Film glossary

Sell-Through

Sell-through is the sale of a film directly to consumers to own, such as a digital purchase or a physical copy, as opposed to a rental or a licensed stream.

Sell-through revenue comes from audiences buying a permanent copy rather than paying for temporary access. It is one of several ways a film earns across its distribution windows, alongside theatrical, rental, subscription streaming, and television licensing.

Where sell-through sits in the release sequence is often governed by holdbacks, so it does not undercut an earlier window. Like other revenue streams, it flows back through the collection account and recoupment waterfall.

Go deeper

Film Distribution guideFilm distribution is how a finished film reaches audiences and earns revenue across theatrical, streaming, television, and other windows. It involves sales agents, distributors, and a patchwork of territory and rights deals. Clean chain of title, complete deliverables, and clear collection arrangements are what let a distribution deal actually close and pay out.

Related terms

Keep reading the glossary

HoldbackA holdback is a contractual restriction that prevents a film from appearing in a particular medium or territory until a set date.TerritoryA territory is the geographic area a distribution deal covers, often a single country or a defined region.ResidualsResiduals are ongoing payments made to talent and crew, usually through their guilds, when a film earns from reuse across additional markets and windows.Collection Account ManagementCollection account management is a neutral arrangement that receives a film revenue and pays it out to each party according to the agreed recoupment waterfall.

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