OTT and How it Works

OTT stands for OVER-THE-TOP. It was initially named in reference to devices that go “over” (or bypass) a cable box to give the user access to TV content. In OTT channels, content is delivered via an internet connection rather than through a traditional cable/broadcast.

To watch an OTT channel, viewers must have a STREAMING BOX OR STICK sold by the major OTT providers. ROKU, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV are great samples. These devices are usually available at any major retail store, or online. Any device that is not desktop, laptop, or mobile, but is used to consume OTT content, is technically an OTT device. Other examples of OTT devices include: Smart TV’s with built in OTT channels, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox and more.

There are many types of OTT Video content available. Livecast365 supports All of them.

Advertising-based video-on-demand (AVOD): Users access free-to-watch content which is then monetized through video advertising.

Subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) or Subscription OTT: Users who have paid subscription access to streaming video content.

Transactional based video-on-demand (TVOD): Users who have paid to access certain content through pay-per-view purchase model.

Livestreaming video-on-demand (TVOD): Users access (paid or unpaid) live streaming programming.