Over-the-top media service

An over-the-top media service (also known as over-the-top television, or simply OTT) is a digital distribution service offered directly to viewers via the public Internet, rather than through an over-the-air, cable, or satellite-based provider.[1][2] The term is synonymous with "streaming platform", such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video[3][4][5] which provide access to subscription-based film and television content (SVoD).[2][6]

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 licensed rights from the content owner. Programming may also include original content produced by the service or specifically for it.[7][8][9] 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.[10][11][12]

OTT content is delivered via the public Internet instead of a closed, private network system that uses exclusive equipment like set-top boxes,[13] which is typically the case with IPTV services (such as U-verse TV).[citation needed]

OTT services are typically accessed via television sets with integrated Smart TV platforms,[14] streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV and Roku, video game consoles, websites on personal computers, and apps on smartphones and tablets.[3][1]

  1. ^ a b "What is OTT?". Endavo Media. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b McDermott, John (17 March 2022). "CTV, OTT, SVOD, AVOD, BVOD, FAST…What the Tech are all these digital TV acronyms?". The Current. The Trade Desk. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Need to Know: What's the difference between OTT, CTV and streaming?". Nielsen Corporation. February 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  4. ^ "What is OTT? The meaning of video streaming platforms". TravSonic. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  5. ^ Wilbert, Max (20 June 2024). "The 10 Best OTT Streaming Services". Dacast. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  6. ^ Nissen, Keith (31 August 2023). "Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ dominate global SVOD viewing hours". S&P Global. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024.
  7. ^ Irwin-Hunt, Alex (8 February 2023). "Streaming wars: Disney+, Netflix and Amazon to drive original content spend". fDi Intelligence.
  8. ^ Arnold, Thomas K. (18 November 2022). "Netflix Still on Top in Terms of Original Content, with 37% of All Movies and Shows". Media Play News.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tariq was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Rosenblatt, Bill (4 May 2017). "Internet TV Skinny Bundle Market Gets More Crowded With Hulu's New Service". Forbes. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024.
  11. ^ Dreier, Troy (21 June 2017). "Sling TV Is the Most Popular Skinny Bundle, in Over 2M US Homes". Streaming Media. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018.
  12. ^ Wolfe, Bryan M. (15 November 2017). "After Pushback, Amazon Cancels Plans for Skinny Television Bundle". AppAdvice. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020.
  13. ^ Moro-Visconti, Roberto (17 April 2021). Startup Valuation: From Strategic Business Planning to Digital Networking. Springer. ISBN 9783030716080.
  14. ^ "Definition of smart TV". PCMag. 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2024.