Over the top or OTT platforms are the media and entertainment services that empower users to access content directly using the web or the OTT application. The modern platform bypasses all mediators in the way to serving the content to the viewers. What makes OTT an accepted and more preferred alternative over the conventional mediums is its convenience, flexibility across different gadgets, and great value for money.
How OTT Is Different from Traditional TV?
There is a steady decline seen in the pay-tv penetration throughout the world. User penetration of OTT platforms is expected to be 27.6% this year and is expected to hit around 35% by the year 2026.
There are several factors that make the OTT platforms different from conventional TV accepting the fact both the platforms lie in the media and entertainment sectors. There are major differences that made the OTTs more preferable to traditional TV sets. Let’s dive into the reasons that make it a more picked option by the users.
The Way To Deliver The Content
There is a huge difference in the way of delivering content on the OTT platforms and conventional TV sets. OTT platforms provide direct service to the customer with the help of the internet, however, traditional TV sets require a dedicated cable or satellite connection to get the broadcasted content over the screen.
Content Accessibility
OTT services leverage us to get the content of our choice which facility is not there on the traditional TV sets. Conventional sets require you to pay for the wholesome content from which you are not going to watch some specific of them. The traditional TV provides restricted flexibility but OTT services are the services that are available anytime, anywhere.
Availability At The Moment
OTT platforms cater to the requirements of the moment and give viewers the opportunity to watch the content anytime. They have the accessibility to play, pause, replay and start from the time they are left consuming the content. All these are not there in the traditional TV sets.
Evolution of Viewership Of From Traditional TV To OTT & CTV
The means of entertainment have grown way too much. Traditionally, entertainment was to gather and entertain a restricted audience. With the arrival of technology, tools are used to transfer entertainment content from one place to the other. It was way back in the 1930s when conventional TV was introduced in the US. However, it all gained momentum after around two decades.
It all started in the 1950s when radio programs were rapidly transformed into television shows. Eventually, it become a part of life but it did not provide flexibility to the users. OTT services arrived as a way to overcome the restriction that television has provided. Although the transition from the traditional broadcast to the OTT services did not come overnight. It is a little shocking for you all to know that Netflix, which has turned into our staple entertainment dose now was launched in 1997. It started first by selling and renting DVDs to customers by mail. With time the platform increased its tentacles to even offering online content to the viewers. This has made a huge difference.
Over a decade, Netflix turned into a leader in the OTT platforms market. The increased digitalization of OTT services led to an increased rate of adoption of the platform. The newest trend that is shaping the future of the OTT platforms and the OTT entertainment industry is connected TVs(CTVs). Connected TVs have given the shows a bigger screen to steam the online content. All this has happened due to increased internet penetration, accessibility of online platforms, and again a great push arrived with the inception of Covid-19 and its continuous lockdowns.
Legal Regulations/Censorship On The OTT Platforms?
The law and regulations concerning OTT services or OTT platforms differ across the globe. Some countries have regulatory bodies that are strict while monitoring the sort of content shown or published on the platform. This is all there to give a check over the sensitive content published on the OTT platform. Singapore has its own media regulatory body that issues some code of practices for OTT service providers.
On the other hand, the US has no strict regulations for OTT services but a proposal regarding the same has been presented in 2019. Talking about OTT service regulations in India, there are certain rules that the OTT platforms are required to follow while publishing their content over the platforms.
The potential of the OTT platforms can be seen with the increased development of the platform. The path is crystal clear and the technology is there to make a difference in the entertainment market.