We live in a world dictated by our streaming platforms. We might wake up and watch something on Amazon Prime, eat lunch with a Hotstar special and finish the day by binging a new Netflix original. In this age of constant video, it’s easy to get confused by terms like OTT, VoD and SVoD. For constant video streaming, a good broadband connection is absolutely crucial. If your internet is slow, check out Hathway’s various broadband plans to find one that matches your OTT needs. This is a comprehensive explanation for what technical terms like OTT really mean and a few tips on maximizing your binging experience.
OTT refers to over-the-top video content provided using high speed internet instead of traditional cable or satellite providers. So basically, OTT means consuming content through Hulu instead of using a TV channel. OTT’s sharp growth over the past few years is mainly due to Netflix and the various perks it provides. These being, original features as well as a large selection of titles to choose from. Now you may watch OTT content through an actual TV, but the connection isn’t satellite, it’s through the internet and this is what makes it different. Any OTT provider is one that supplies video content through an internet connection and includes Disney, Hotstar, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Zee5, Voot,etc.
VoD is just a short form for Video on Demand and refers to the way most of us get our content now. Being an on demand service, it aims to provide all users quality content, usually educational or for entertainment, by using the internet. The difference between OTT and VoD is that VoD refers to literally any video that you require and thus, also includes a service like YouTube under its umbrella.
SVoD is basically any subscription video on demand. Netflix, one of the biggest SVoD’s, began as a subscription mail service that would let you rent DVDs before expanding to online streaming in 2007. In fact, Netflix’s fame came with ‘House of Cards’ which premiered on the service in 2013 and became instantly popular due to the fact that all episodes of the first season were uploaded together. Today, it seems like a given to have an entire season and even entire shows within the touch of a finger, but back in 2013, it was a revelation. Thus, a SvoD is a transactional VoD because for a fixed monthly rate, you can access a platform.
