What is OTT Platform ?
The full form of OTT is ‘Over the top’. In the beginning, the meaning of the word OTT was limited to video streaming only, but with changing times, it started being used in every product and service where internet was used as an alternative to the existing infrastructure. Such as SMS service (Whats App), Cellular service (VoLTE), Cable TV etc.
In fact, OTT platform is mainly a revolutionary technology of modern video streaming. Through this technology, we can watch our favourite movies or television content as per our convenience through high-speed internet.
Along with this, OTT technology also provides the facility to watch these contents on different platforms like mobile, tablet or television. We also call these television contents web series. Earlier such contents were available only on television through cable or satellite.
Types of OTT services :
Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) :
Under this OTT service, viewers can get monthly or yearly subscription by paying a fixed fee. Under this subscription, companies make their original content available to customers. Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are the main examples of this category.
Ad Supported Video On Demand (AVOD) :
Although the content of this category is free for the viewers, it is full of advertisements. These advertisements are their source of income. Sling TV falls under this category.
Transactional Video On Demand (TVOD) :
To watch the content of this category, viewers have to pay a fixed fee every time. This means that to watch a web series or a movie once, we have to pay its rent or buy it. In a way, this is the opposite of SVOD. iTunes falls under this category.
It is much cheaper to take an OTT subscription than setting up a television in a physical way and paying monthly fees for it.
On this platform, viewers can watch their favorite content continuously without advertisements.
As we know, OTT platform works completely over the internet. So it is not limited to television only. We can watch it on mobile, tablet, computer or even on internet television.
Due to their increasing customer base, big OTT service providing companies like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO etc. create their own original content which includes web series, movies, documentaries.
What is OTT App?
Through OTT app, we can watch content on different devices. Viewers can download these apps for their mobile or tablet devices from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Netflix, Prime Video, MX Player etc. are examples of such apps.
At present, many Internet/Smart TVs also provide these apps. Apart from these, this content can also be watched through streaming devices like Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast etc.
OTT platform in India :
Reliance Entertainment is credited with being the originator of OTT in India, which started this service in 2008 under the name BIGFlix. After 2015, many international and Indian companies realized the immense potential of OTT in India and turned towards it.
Currently, some of the major OTT service providing companies in India are –
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- Hotstar
- Sony Liv
- ALT Balaji
- Voot
- Eros Now
- MX Player
- Zee5
Various types of programs such as web series, films, documentaries, entertainment programs for children, sports and live TV are available on these platforms. Apart from these, many platforms also provide content in local languages.