You’ve most likely heard of the phrase OTT before – over the top – but what is an OTT media service? Put simply, OTT refers to ‘over the top’ of TV, so media that is streamed on the internet that bypasses broadcast and cable gatekeepers. 

What exactly is an OTT service?

An OTT service is one that allows videos and media to be streamed on any device via the internet. These streams bypass the traditional broadcast services and satellite platforms hence why they are referred to as ‘over the top of.’ It is a service that goes over the cable box and TV. A more familiar term for these services is video-on-demand; however, OTT also includes audio streaming services.

They have drawn away from a majority of television viewers from watching traditional broadcasting, to consuming video content via the internet instead.

What do they do?

OTT services simply allow you to stream media in the form of video (movies and TV programmes) or music through the internet or other network connection from any device. These services usually require a paid monthly or annual subscription to access the entire content library. The content can be streamed at any time and doesn’t require or watch adverts or be restricted to time. 

Most of the top OTT services offer original content that has not been streamed elsewhere, and also licenced content that may have already been broadcast on television or at cinemas.

Examples of an OTT service

If it is still not clear what an OTT media service is, take Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV+ for example. They are all online streaming services that allow you to consume video content, movies and TV shows, on a variety of devices at any one time. OTT audio services include the likes of Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music. 

How to stream OTT

– Smart TV: You can access OTT services on smart TV’s, with many TV models coming with platforms like Netflix and Prime Video already installed within the system.

– Mobile devices: Mobile phones and tablets can access OTT services either via the internet or by simply downloading the platform’s app.

– Laptops and computers: The majority of computers and all laptops support OTT services through either watching on internet web browsers or downloading desktop apps.

– Gaming consoles: gaming devices such as the Xbox and Playstation allow some OTT services to be installed so that content can be consumed.

– Media players: Other devices and digital media players like the Amazon Firestick support OTT services as well.

Why OTT is the best way to stream content

OTT services are available for everybody to access, regardless of your device type, allowing anybody to stream content from the comfort of their own home. Binge-viewing has been made possible and convenient by OTT services, as they allow consumers to binge-view entire series’ and movies at a much more affordable price. Put simply, with an OTT service subscription, users can watch more for less – with zero hassle.

And there you have it – everything you need to know about an OTT media service, and what it does. All that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy. 

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