OTT Platforms: Everything you need to know

20 Jul OTT Platforms: Everything you need to know

Pandemic has made us experience the loner life, and our best companion was- OTT platforms. OTT platforms have exponentially climbed the entertainment ladder and given us some of the best content pieces over the last 4-5 years.

“Over-The-Top” content platforms do justify their acronym with the type of pieces these platforms have brought us. Let’s explore everything you need to know about OTT platforms and what the future holds for them!

What is an OTT Platform?

A media service that provides its content directly through the internet is known as an OTT platform. Over the Top means that this content is given through a service provider, or the apps that you use, like Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and many others.

A preferred method over traditional cable TV, these apps provide the most personalized way of delivering content to the user, making it their USP and a more practical method of entertainment.

Popular Features

Some of the most popular features of OTT platforms that make them a huge hit among the users are-

• Profile Management- A single account can be customized to fit several users with their personalized choice in each. You can set a profile picture, name, and access to each of these accounts.
• Mirror Screening- If you have a multi-device streaming service, you can continue watching your favorite shows anywhere with just a login, on any device! Now that’s what we call comfort!
• Ease of Payment- With almost every method of payment available, users can easily choose their comfort mode and pay according to their convenience.
• Huge selection- With a wide genre selection from multiple countries, the search option gives us everything we are looking for!
• Offline downloads- In a place with no internet and space? Don’t worry, OTT’s are here for you. Download anything with just a click and enjoy smooth streaming anywhere!

Types of OTT content

With the advent of OTT platforms, many types of OTT content have been discovered and received well by the audience. Let’s take a look!

• Audio OTT- From walkman to iPod and iPod to Spotify, there has been a huge transition in the world of music with the Audio OTT platforms. Some of the popular OTT platforms in India are Spotify, Saavn, Wynk, Jio Music, Gaana, and many others that have been coming up with new features and podcasts of their own.
• Video OTT- The most popular form of OTT these days, Video OTT has been taking the entertainment world one show at a time. AppleTV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+Hotstar are some of the best OTT platforms performing in India right now.
• Messaging OTT- Some of your everyday apps like Whatsapp, Messenger, Hike, Skype, and Viber come under messaging OTTs.

Popular OTT channels

Some of the most revered OTT channels in India are Spotify, Gaana, and Saavan for which the premium plans range from a day pass starting from Rs. 7 to monthly and yearly packages ranging from 150- 200 for a month, where you can include family members in an account.

As for Video OTT platforms, the popular ones are Netflix, Disney+Hotsar, and Amazon Prime whose monthly packages range from an average of 150 for a month and depending on multiple screens can go up to 600-800 Rupees.

Some of the OTT channels like Alt Balaji, MX player, and Voot are also operating and catering to a large number of audiences in the country.

Advantages of OTT platforms

There is a huge user base that maintains their liking for OTT platforms and has subscriptions to get their exclusive content and updates from time to time. Let’s analyze some advantages of OTTs and how they are replacing traditional TV.

• Unique content- Traditional TV has only a selective assortment of content that only serves a few age groups and does not provide many variations. OTT platforms bring a lot to the table and serve a plethora of genres for every generation to enjoy for. Now that’s what we call multitasking mayhem!
• Cost-effective- Providing plans that appeal to almost every member of society, OTT platforms have outdone themselves in providing the best of the best at every level, bringing content parity and quality amongst the masses.
• Multi-device compatibility- The reason why many people now prefer OTT channels is their availability on almost any device with an internet connection. This ease of accessibility has made a huge difference in the OTT fan following.

What does the future hold for OTT platforms?

Whether we listen to our jams on Spotify or look at Stranger Things and Mirzapur on Netflix and Amazon Prime, OTT platforms have a good hold on us. We as users are actively contributing to its rise daily and this will grow exponentially in the coming days.

OTT is the future of media integration and growth.