What is OTT, or Over-the-Top?

What is OTT, or Over-the-Top?

What is considered OTT?

OTT stands for “over the top.” Any content service provider that offers content online via streaming as its only product is considered an OTT service. It is most commonly used to refer to video-on-demand platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Video, but it can also be used to refer to messaging services such as WhatsApp or Telegram, Internet-based calling services, or audio streaming such as podcasts. You can access OTT services as long as you have access to an internet connection. These types of services can be monetized through paid subscriptions, advertising, or in-app purchases.

Who is OTT?

OTT, or “over the top,” refers to services that are provided bypassing the traditional delivery channels. The term OTT became popular after Netflix gained a significant number of subscribers and became the go-to form of video enterntainment preferred by millions. However, OTT services are also available in other platforms incl such as iTunes for podcasts (audio services), WhatsApp, Duo, or Skype for messaging and long-distance calling, and more. In a nutshell, OTT services cut out the middlemen, delivering their product directly to consumers. Over the top services are accessed through websites on PCs or laptops, or through apps on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. They can also be delivered through digital media boxes such as OTT TV boxes or video game consoles, or through Smart TVs.

Is Netflix an OTT?

Every day more and more people choose digital streaming media over traditional TV and cable subscriptions. And for many of them, it all started with Netflix. As of January 2022, Netflix had nearly 140 million subscribers worldwide. As such, the streaming giant can take most of the credit for luring audiences to transition from cable and satellite TV providers to OTT services. Nowadays, there are other services providing OTT video streaming such as Amazon Video, Hulu, and YouTube TV, which have taken an important slice of the market share pie.

What’s the difference between Ott and SVOD?

OTT is the term used to refer to over the top services. These are media services that don’t need you to subscribe to cable or satellite TV. VOD stands for Video on Demand. It is a type of OTT service that allows users to access and play back an extensive collection of videos at any given time. There are two primary categories for VOD services: VOD that need a subscription and VOD that is delivered via the internet. Services that require a subscription are typically called SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand). Netflix, Amazon Video, and Hulu are examples of SVOD service providers.

What is OTT subscription?

OTT content is delivered through the internet, so it does not require traditional cable or broadcasting companies to distribute it. OTT subscriptions are a new business model that revolves around ongoing customer relationships. Instead of using a third party to distribute content and relying on advertising for revenue, OTT subscription services take advantage of IP-based technology. This allows them to have more direct and regular interactions with consumers and based their income directly from this interaction via subscriptions. That is, the monthly or yearly payment that each person or company pay OTT providers to enjoy access to the content they offer.

What is OTT Technology?

OTT services deliver content using the internet as opposed to traditional telecommunication services which use radio waves (such as TV) or a coaxial cable connection (such as cable TV). Over the top service providers use the same technology that you use to receive and send emails or browse through websites. This technology is called Internet Protocol or IP, and it is the language that servers (where the information is stored) and clients (your device) use to transfer the necessary data to make it possible. This is different from IPTV providers, which use a private network, dedicated only to the delivery of this service.

Is YouTube an OTT?

Yes. YouTube is an over the top (OTT) service provider. It streams content using an internet connection, and it works on both advertising- and subscription-based models. YouTube is also considered an OTT service provider because you can watch its content through different devices. This includes PCs, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.

Additionally, you can enjoy through their website or using an app. YouTube offers three types of OTT services: YouTube, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV. YouTube is the one we all know and use almost on a daily basis. It’s free to use, and it bases its revenues on advertising. YouTube Premium (formerly known as YouTube Red) is an ad-free, optimized version of the video site. It features exclusive content made by popular YouTubers. YouTube TV is the internet version of cable TV.

What is an OTT box?

An OTT TV box is a device that uses the Internet to receive media content, literally going past satellite, broadcast, and cable TV. TV networks and cable and satellite TV companies have no control of the content that is distributed. OTT TV boxes are a smart TV platform, and they were designed to help you access OTT TV content. These devices can help you stream content not only to your smart TV, but also to your smartphone, and they have plenty of storage space. With an OTT TV box, you choose what and when you want to watch video content. But not only that! This device can turn your smart TV into a giant monitor to browse the web, read the news, shop online, or even check your social media feed.

What’s the difference between OTT and IPTV?

OTT and IPTV are both internet-based media services. They differ from cable and satellite TV companies in that they offer their content through the same client-server model you use to browse the web or check your email. The main difference between OTT and IPTV is that the former uses the same network you use for emailing or navigating the internet, while the latter uses a private network dedicated to delivering a more consistent service. They both stream content stored on servers, which allows their customers to request any content at any time. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these types of services. While IPTV offers high-quality video with fewer glitches than OTT streaming (whose video-quality is dependent on internet-speed), the costs of IPTV are a lot higher than OTT services and even comparable to those of cable or satellite TV subscriptions.

What are OTT apps?

Over the top (OTT) apps are those applications that provide a product or service through the Internet. This can be done via a mobile device such as tablets or smartphone, or via Smart TVs. Typically, these services are related to communications and media and are mostly lower in cost than the mainstream delivery channels (radio waves, cable, satellite). Some examples of OTT services include YouTube for video streaming, Skype for long-distance phone-calling, WhatsApp or Telegram for instant messaging and more.

What is OTT vs. CTV?

Over the top (OTT) refers to the content that’s being streamed by users via the internet on their laptop, mobile device, tablet or smart TVs. The streaming takes place literally over the standard closed infrastructure that’s cable and satellite packages. It’s something that’s become an everyday commodity for many people around the world. So, how does CTV relate to all of this? CTV stands for connected TV, and it’s the one responsible for streaming OTT content through apps via the internet. It uses devices to carry this task; which some of them include Smart TVs, Apple TVs, and gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. While CTV refers to the specific devices that can stream content, OTT alludes to the content to be streamed.

What is full OTT?

OTT stands for over-the-top and refers to information sent via the Internet which circumvents standard mediums. Full OTT encompasses everything about the topic, from content to messaging. Content refers to all the movies and TV shows that are delivered straight to users. Signing for a cable or satellite subscription is not necessary with OTT content. The most popular feature of OTT is that content can be streamed through any device that has an available internet connection. When it comes to messaging, users can communicate through messages in a non-conventional way. That is, without sending SMS or MMS. Companies like WhatsApp and Apple have developed their own messaging apps that allow users to message each other for free.

Is TV Everywhere OTT?

To understand if TV Everywhere is, in fact, OTT, one must first look at both definitions. Over the top (OTT) refers to the delivery of content through an internet connection instead of a traditional distributor. Some of the platforms that follow this model are Netflix and Hulu. With TV Everywhere, on the other hand, consumers can access all the content they want only if they count with a paid cable subscription. So, at its core, both share the same principles, to some extent. However, the difference between them relies on the fact that using TV Everywhere is bound to a cable subscription. Nevertheless, both are strategies to get users to consume all the content they want, whenever and wherever they please to.

Is TV Everywhere free?

TV Everywhere is a new approach to get users to return to their previous cable providers. With today’s technology and streaming services, people are starting to forget about cable television. However, with TV Everywhere apps, that scenario could soon change. Although it is not technically free, if you own a cable TV subscription, you are entitled to everything inside the app. It includes live TV, but also full episodes of current TV shows. After signing up for a cable subscription, you only need to authenticate it inside the TV Everywhere app, and you’ll have immediate access to all the content.

Where does the term over the top come from?

Over the top, or OTT has become incredibly popular throughout the years. It was given that name to reference devices that literally go ‘over’ a cable box to provide users access to TV content. With OTT channels, the traditional cable/broadcast provider is irrelevant. The content (shows or films) is delivered via an internet connection and only through devices that support them. This model differs from the standard purchasing or rental of video and audio content from an Internet service provider (ISP). In OTT, the content is delivered from third parties, whereas the ISP simply transports IP packets. Some examples of streaming services that offer OTT content are Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Go.

What is OTT inventory?

In the OTT world, inventory refers to the number of ads that users must view before consuming the desired content. Marketers have taken full advantage of this and have resorted to placing a series of advertisements throughout shows and films. These videos are non-skippable and can go from 15 to 60 seconds long. Having a clear and creative video strategy is crucial to ensure a video’s success. Through Advanced TV advertising, all of this is possible. With it, marketers can target and access new inventory that’s usually not available via traditional TV. Also, by using tracking metrics like Gross Rating Points, experts are able to measure the performance of their ads. The measurement of the on-target percentage of a specific advertisement is equally possible.

How do OTT services work?

Over-the-top (OTT) services are delivered through an online video platform or OTT backend. This platform is the one that handles all the media, users, subscriptions, security, and rights of the OTT model. Machines that can connect to a TV via the internet are defined as devices. The backend is responsible for communicating with all the consumers’ said devices. With OTT, users are not attached to a traditional cable or satellite package. The services are offered via streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, among others. Devices such as Smart TV’s, Apple TV’s, Xbox and PlayStation already come with integrated streaming platforms.

What is the difference between SVOD and TVOD?

SVOD stands for Subscription Video on Demand. Although it’s similar to traditional TV packages, with SVOD, users have more freedom and are not required to go into a long-term contract. With this, they can watch as much content as they want. TVOD, on the other hand, stands for Transactional Video on Demand. It is the opposite of SVOD as consumers need to purchase content on a pay per view basis. TVOD has two distinct categories: electronic sell-through and download to rent. With the first one, customers have permanent access to the content once they have purchased it. On the contrary, in download to rent, users can only view the content for a limited time.

What is CTV advertising?

CTV stands for connected TV, and it refers to any television that can connect to the internet. CTVs include Smart TV’s, Apple TV’s, and gaming consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. For the advertising community, CTV has changed the game tremendously. With the huge popularity that comes with streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, video advertising on CTV is slowly creeping in. Studies show that people (especially millennials) don’t mind watching ads when browsing through their favorite shows. This offers a massive boost in advertising and allows marketers to insert ads before, during, or after a specific show or movie has ended.

What does OTT mean in texting?

Every year that passes, technology seems to get more and more advanced. We all know as SMS messaging as the standard way for texting. However, the days of SMS are soon to be over. All because of the different messaging apps that are surfacing all the time. In texting, over-the-top (OTT) refers to the practice of sending messages in non-conventional ways. Both Apple and WhatsApp have introduced a free messaging app that allows users to send messages without resorting to SMS or MMS. As with regular OTT streaming like Netflix or Hulu, OTT messaging also requires internet access.