Over-the-top media service explained

Over-the-top media service (also known as over-the-top television, or simply OTT) refers to a media service offered directly to viewers via the public Internet, rather than through an over-the-air, cable, or satellite-based provider. The term is synonymous with "streaming platform", such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video[1] [2] which provide access to subscription-based film and television content (SVoD).[3] [4]

OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms—the media through which companies have traditionally acted as controllers or distributors of such content. This content may include shows and movies for which the OTT acquired rights from the content owner. Programming may also (or alternatively) include original content produced by the service or specifically for it.[5] OTT services also include a range of "skinny" television offerings by streaming platforms, such as Sling TV and Hulu with Live TV, that provide live streams of specialty channels.[6] [7] [8]

OTT content is delivered via the public Internet instead of a closed, private network system that uses exclusive equipment like set-top boxes,[9] which is typically the case with IPTV services (such as U-verse TV).

OTT services are typically accessed via television sets with integrated Smart TV platforms,[10] streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV and Roku, video game consoles, websites on personal computers, and apps on smartphones and tablets.[11] [12]

Definitions

In 2011, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canada's telecommunications regulator, stated that it "considers that Internet access to programming independent of a facility or network dedicated to its delivery (via, for example, cable or satellite) is the defining feature of what has been termed 'over-the-top' services".[13]

In contrast to video on demand systems offered by cable and IPTV, which operate over managed networks where channels can be changed instantly and thus content available instantaneously, some OTT services such as iTunes require that the video be downloaded first and then played.[14] Relatedly, some OTT services require movie download but can start playing the content before the download completes (streaming).[15]

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) categorizes OTT services into two groups: multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) and online video distributors (OVDs).[16] [17]

Virtual MVPDs include such services such as DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV.

The FCC defined an OVD as:[16]

Background

In broadcasting, over-the-top (OTT) content is the audio, video, and other media content delivered over the Internet, without the involvement of a multiple-system operator (MSO) in the control or distribution of the content. The Internet provider may be aware of the contents of the Internet Protocol (IP) packets and may be able to block or restrict their transit to end users (unless that internet provider operates within a jurisdiction that requires "net neutrality"). However, the ISP is not responsible for the viewing abilities, copyrights, and/or other redistribution of the content from the OTT provider. This model contrasts with the purchasing or rental of video or audio content from an Internet service provider, such as pay television, video on demand and internet protocol television (IPTV).[18] OTT refers to content from a third party that is delivered to an end-user, with the ISP simply transporting IP packets.[19] [20] [21] [22]

OTT television, commonly called streaming television, remains the most popular OTT content. This signal is received over the Internet or through a cell phone network, as opposed to receiving the television signal from a terrestrial broadcast or satellite. The video distributor controls access through an app, a separate OTT dongle, or a box connected to a phone, PC, or smart television set. By mid-2017, 58 percent of US households would access one in a given month, and advertising revenues from OTT channels exceeded revenue from videos playing in web browsers on desktops and laptops.[23]

In 2019, the record of simultaneous users watching an OTT event was set at 18.6 million in India by Disney Entertainment's video streaming platform Hotstar.[24]

Modes of access

Consumers can access OTT content through Internet-connected devices such as smart TVs,[25] digital media players, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones.[26]

The results of a 2018 in-house data analysis of their subscribers by Uscreen (a membership platform for video creators and entrepreneurs) reported that 45% used iOS and Android mobile devices to access their OTT content, while 39% used web browsers for streaming.[27]

Streaming platforms

See also: List of streaming media services.

Mobile communication

The term "OTT" has also been used to describe no-carrier cellphones, for which all communications are charged as data,[28] avoiding monopolistic competition, or apps for phones that transmit data in this manner, including both those that replace other call methods[29] and those that update software.[30] [31] [32] [33]

OTT messaging is defined as instant messaging services or online chat provided by third parties, as an alternative to text messaging services provided by a mobile network operator.[34] [35] An example is the Facebook-owned mobile application WhatsApp, that serves to replace text messaging on Internet connected smartphones.[36] [37] Other providers of OTT messaging include Viber, WeChat, iMessage, Skype, Telegram and the now defunct Google Allo.[38]

OTT voice calling, usually called VoIP, capabilities, for instance, a softphone or as provided by FaceTime, Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, WeChat, and Zoom use open internet communication protocols to replace and sometimes enhance existing operator controlled services offered by mobile phone operators.

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: What is OTT? The meaning of video streaming platforms . TravSonic . February 29, 2024 . 12 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Wilbert . Max . The 10 Best OTT Streaming Services . . June 20, 2024 . 10 July 2024.
  3. Web site: McDermott . John . March 17, 2022 . CTV, OTT, SVOD, AVOD, BVOD, FAST…What the Tech are all these digital TV acronyms? . https://archive.today/20231201202818/https://www.thecurrent.com/ctv-ott-svod-avod-bvod-fast-what-the-tech-are-all-these-digital-tv-acronyms . 1 December 2023 . The Current . The Trade Desk.
  4. Web site: Nissen . Keith . 31 August 2023 . Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ dominate global SVOD viewing hours . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240504121829/https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/research/netflix-amazon-prime-video-and-disney-dominate-global-svod-viewing-hours . May 4, 2024 . dead.
  5. Book: Sales and Revenue Generation in Sport Business . 9781492594222 . Shonk . David J. . Weiner . James F. . 20 October 2021 . Human Kinetics .
  6. Rosenblatt . Bill . Internet TV Skinny Bundle Market Gets More Crowded With Hulu's New Service . . May 4, 2017 . https://archive.today/20240518035352/https://www.forbes.com/sites/billrosenblatt/2017/05/04/internet-tv-skinny-bundle-market-gets-more-crowded-with-hulus-new-service/?sh=57264ea53817 . 18 May 2024 . live.
  7. Web site: Dreier . Troy . Sling TV Is the Most Popular Skinny Bundle, in Over 2M US Homes . Streaming Media . June 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629213151/https://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/News/Online-Video-News/Sling-TV-Is-the-Most-Popular-Skinny-Bundle-in-Over-2M-US-Homes-118970.aspx . June 29, 2018 . live.
  8. Web site: Wolfe . Bryan M. . After Pushback, Amazon Cancels Plans for Skinny Television Bundle . AppAdvice . November 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200920115056/https://appadvice.com/post/amazon-skinny-television-bundle/757211 . September 20, 2020 . live.
  9. Book: Moro-Visconti . Roberto . Startup Valuation: From Strategic Business Planning to Digital Networking . 17 April 2021 . Springer . 9783030716080.
  10. Definition of smart TV . . 2020 . 1 May 2024.
  11. Web site: Need to Know: What's the difference between OTT, CTV and streaming? . . February 2024 . 19 March 2024 .
  12. Web site: What is OTT? . Endavo Media . April 13, 2023 . 12 April 2024.
  13. Web site: Results of the fact-finding exercise on the over-the-top programming services. Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. (CRTC). www.crtc.gc.ca. 3 October 2011 . 30 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170603162457/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp1110.htm#ftn2#ftn2. 2017-06-03. live.
  14. Book: Gibbon. David C.. Liu. Zhu . Introduction to Video Search Engines . 2008 . Washington, DC . Federal Communications Commission (FCC) . 251 . 2008ivse.book.....G .
  15. Web site: Will Internet TV Kill IPTV?. Jose Miguel. Cansado. 13 October 2008. 30 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170606123042/http://disruptionmatters.com/2008/10/13/will-internet-tv-kill-iptv/. 2017-06-06. live.
  16. FCC . 6 May 2016 . Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming [Seventeenth Report; MB Docket No. 15-158; DA 16-510] ]. Washington, DC . Federal Communications Commission (FCC) . 4417–4587 . 26 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161026075525/https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-16-510A1_Rcd.pdf . 2016-10-26 . live .
  17. Web site: FCC Officially Launches OVD Definition NPRM. Broadcasting & Cable. 19 December 2014 . en. 2018-03-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20170819093215/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/fcc-officially-launches-ovd-definition-nprm/136544. 2017-08-19. live.
  18. IPTV is the delivery of television content using signals based on the logical Internet protocol (IP), rather than through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal and cable television formats.
  19. Web site: Time Warner Goes Over the Top. Hansell. Saul. The New York Times. 3 March 2009. 21 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20110710232313/http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/jeff-bewkes-goes-over-the-top/. 2011-07-10. live.
  20. Web site: Over-the-Top Video and Content Delivery Networks Will Transform Video-On-Demand Provisioning. Electronic Component News. 19 November 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120305082324/http://www.ecnmag.com/News/2009/11/Over-the-Top-Video-and-Content-Delivery-Networks-Will-Transform-Video-On-Demand-Provisioning/. 5 March 2012.
  21. Web site: Why 2011 Is Being Called The Year Of "The Cable Cut". Business Insider. 30 December 2010. 21 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160403042433/http://www.businessinsider.com/what-will-it-take-to-make-over-the-top-video-successful-2010-12. 2016-04-03. live.
  22. Web site: Who Is Playing The OTT Game And How To Win It. Business Insider. 30 December 2010. 21 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160403052256/http://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-playing-the-ott-game-and-how-to-win-it-2010-12. 2016-04-03. live.
  23. Andrew Orlowski; Can the last person watching desktop video please turn out the light?, The Register, 8 Aug 2017 (retrieved 8 Aug 2017).
  24. News: Singh . Manish . Hotstar, Disney’s Indian streaming service, sets new global record for live viewership . . 12 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191228115355/https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/12/hotstar-disneys-indian-streaming-service-sets-new-global-record-for-live-viewership/ . 28 December 2019 . dead.
  25. Roettgers . Janko . LG's New TVs Mix Streaming Channels from Buzzfeed, GQ & Vogue with Traditional Networks . . January 8, 2016 . December 26, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170203122444/http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/lgs-webos-internet-tv-channels-1201675137/ . February 3, 2017 . live.
  26. Web site: Grgurović . Marta . What Is OTT: A Guide to Over-the-Top Streaming for Video Publishers . TargetVideo . March 7, 2024.
  27. Web site: Johnson . James . OTT Content: What We Learned From 1.1 Million Subscribers . Uscreen . January 24, 2019 . November 1, 2019 . 2 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201102100301/https://www.uscreen.tv/blog/ott-content-trends/ . live.
  28. Web site: Weaver . Todd . What a No-Carrier Phone Could Look Like . . 1 August 2019 . 10 April 2020 . 30 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210130014615/https://wp.puri.sm/posts/what-a-no-carrier-phone-could-look-like/ . live .
  29. Web site: Fitchard . Kevin . Can you hear me now? Verizon, AT&T to make voice-over-LTE interoperable in 2015 . gigaom.com . 3 November 2014 . 10 April 2020 . 11 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111203158/https://gigaom.com/2014/11/03/can-you-hear-me-now-verizon-att-to-make-voice-over-lte-interoperable-in-2015/ . dead .
  30. Web site: Why Startups Are Beating Carriers (Or The Curious Case Of The Premium SMS Horoscope Service & The Lack Of Customer Consent) . TechCrunch . 25 March 2013 . 10 April 2020 . 23 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200923070020/https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/25/startups-beating-carriers/ . live .
  31. Web site: A Closer Look At Blackphone, The Android Smartphone That Simplifies Privacy . TechCrunch . February 26, 2014 . 10 April 2020 . 19 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200919200600/https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/26/close-look-at-blackphone/ . live .
  32. Tariq . Haseeb . Council Post: What Is OTT Advertising, And Why Is It A Trend? . . February 8, 2021 . 3 August 2021 . 21 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220421040948/https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2021/02/08/what-is-ott-advertising-and-why-is-it-a-trend/. live.
  33. Book: Willemyns . Ines . 2021 . Digital Services in International Trade Law . . Cambridge, England . 9781108837538.
  34. Web site: Chart of the Day: Mobile Messaging. Business Insider. 17 May 2013. 10 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222070154/http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-mobile-messaging-2013-5. 2014-02-22. live.
  35. Web site: Over-The-Top Messaging Apps Overtake SMS Messaging. Maytom. Tim. Mobile Marketing Magazine. 4 August 2014. 28 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150907085209/http://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/over-the-top-messaging-overtakes-sms. 2015-09-07. live.
  36. News: Facebook's $18 Billion Deal Sets High Bar. The Wall Street Journal. 20 February 2014. Albergotti. Reed. MacMillan. Douglas. Rusli. Evelyn.
  37. Web site: WhatsApp hits 900 million users. Rao. Leena. Fortune. 4 September 2015. 27 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160128054624/http://fortune.com/2015/09/04/whatsapp-900-million-users/. 2016-01-28. live.
  38. Web site: Apps Roundup: Best Messaging Apps. Tom's Guide. 4 Oct 2016. 2017-02-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20170214102110/http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/654-best-messaging-apps.html. 2017-02-14. live.

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