What is OTT (over-the-top)?
OTT stands for ‘’over-the-top’’ and is a media service that offers video content directly to viewers via the Internet. Users can enjoy access to the best movie productions and TV series using mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs, and websites without the need for traditional cable TV providers. A simple Internet connection and the device of your choice will allow you to take advantage of OTT and watch what you want when you want!
Difference between VOD and OTT
People often confuse VOD with OTT and consider it synonymous. OTT broadcasting is related to content delivered via the Internet. Top OTT providers such as Netflix, Disney+, and HBOGO offer a range that allows users to avoid traditional broadcasting. VOD (video on demand) is a way for people to watch video content via subscriptions or purchases whenever they want. In simple terms, OTT describes a distribution model, and VOD is a consumption model.
How does Insys Video Technologies deliver OTT?
OTT has gained popularity in the entertainment world mainly because of its accessibility. Users with access to the Internet and a device of their choice can view selected content on an app or through a browser. Modern cloud-based technologies are responsible for quick and easy access to selected video content. Here’s a look at how OTT is delivered:
Insys Video Technologies uses many AWS Media Services to deliver the best experience to its customers. The OTT platform requires many different components to become fully functional. The partnership with Amazon Web Services and AWS Media Services makes it possible to build a fully end-to-end OTT solution.
All you need to have are video content sources for live streaming and/or VOD. Insys provides all the rest. AWS MediaServices prepare the content in the appropriate format. Amazon S3 storage stores it and Amazon Cloudfront is used for the distribution.
Monetization models in OTT
Subscription video-on-demand (SVOD)
Subscription video-on-demand is one of the most known models of monetization in the OTT world. It drives revenue from the viewers’ subscription payments. It is similar to traditional TV as you pay a regular fee and receive unlimited access to the video content. However, users can watch the content anytime, anywhere, and on any device that the platform is available on.
Pay-per-view (PPV)
Pay-per-view, also called transactional VOD, is a standard model for live events and VOD libraries. Users can buy access to a one-off event or movie and simply get what they pay for. OTT platform owners can decide how much revenue they are planning to get and then set a price for a single video to make a profit.
Advertising-based video on demand (AVOD)
AVOD stands for Advertising-based video on demand and unlike TVOD (transactional video-on-demand) and SVOD (subscription video on demand) is usually free to consumers. We can see this model very often on YouTube. Inserting a few ads into a video is a way to generate profit for many influencers. So although it’s completely free to users in terms of money, it consumes a lot of their time. In other words – in this model, the advertisers are the source of the revenue, not the viewers.
Advantages of OTT
OTT video delivery technology has given users more control over the content they watch. People can watch selected video content on selected devices such as computers, tablets, cell phones, and SmartTVs. To take full advantage of the OTT option, all we need is a simple Internet connection, and we can begin to enjoy access to unlimited video content.
OTT gives us the power to watch what we want. We can buy access to a sports platform if we are primarily interested in football matches, volleyball games, and other major sporting events. If we are interested in the world of culture, we can find many platforms on the market that will take us to a theater performance or a live concert of our favorite artist. Of course, we can also purchase access to platforms with a range of top cinema productions that are great for movie nights for the whole family!
Conclusion
OTT technology allows users to watch their favorite video content with a simple Internet connection and the device of their choice at any time. For users, this is an opportunity to have more control over the content they watch and provides an incredible convenience that, once experienced, will never be forgotten! For video content providers, it’s a chance to gain an engaged audience and monetize content. So, if you have any video content you would like to share start your OTT adventure!