Broadcasters & Telcos Join the Content Race By Deploying Their Own OTT Services

The rise of internet based content services is phenomenal – so much so, that nowadays, the concept of sitting down in front of the box and flicking through the TV guide is almost alien to most people. On the supply side, exploring into OTT services becomes a focal point for all major entertainment distributors as competition stacks up. 

OTT services are flooding the market

In just two short years, OTT has become a colossal force to say the least. In fact, presently, people binge, binge, binge on video box sets, blockbuster movies, network exclusives, sporting events and music concerts; this diagram, courtesy of CNBC’s Carl Quintanilla, gives a great snapshot of just how things have progressed over this period:

OTT and IPTV services won’t lose their momentum anytime soon – especially as online video streaming services cater so well to these fast paced, highly tech influenced modern times that we live in.

A Juniper research study has shown that the consumer spend on digital content will climb to an incredible $180bn by just 2017, with up to 30% primarily driven by continued migration to web based streaming services.

Now, part of this projection lies with the introduction of services from traditional broadcasters and telcos who are now joining the competition by launching OTT and IPTV services of their own. By developing their own subscription services and OTT-style content, telcos and broadcasters will be able to keep up with the competitions and in return, maintain existing customer loyalty while branching out to a whole new generation of consumers. In addition, these companies have identified the need to source and create their very own unique, original content much like Netflix and Amazon.

Some telcos are even forging partnerships with existing OTT providers to offer bundled ‘zero-rated’ video content monthly that doesn’t impact on data allowances and the advance of social media into TV.

Getting on top with a OTT service: Protect your subscriber base in a world of choice

With the overwhelming choice and popularity of digital video content comes the inevitable saturation and fragmentation.

Of course, there is already so much choice and this is expected to grow and grow as the months go by – so what can you do to keep your subscribers loyal while keeping up with the times (and competition)?

When it comes to running a successful online video subscription service, there are no quick fixes or black and white solutions. Limelight Neworks came up with a whitepaper stressing but the key elements that you as a OTT provider should consider on a regular basis if you want to ensure success and longevity:

•      Content: it’s been said before, but Content is King – always keep it fresh, exclusive and engaging, wherever possible
•      Content discovery: find ways of helping your target audience find content that makes them tick
•      Global reach: your platform must be able to reach audiences far and wide
•      Scale: can your technology deal with the traffic or streaming demands of a viral scale video?
•      Multi-device: people are no longer chained to their TV sets. Can you work smoothly across all mobile devices?
•      User experience: this is paramount to customer retention. Have you invested enough resources in your UX and QoE?
•      Subscriber attrition: with so much choice out there, you will need to get creative.

These are exciting times for the world of digital video content, but with added competition floating around in the OTT market, providers must always keep their fingers on the pulse and find fresh ways of thinking to ensure long-lasting success.

If you’re a consumer, enjoy these exciting times ahead; if you’re a provider, we wish you the best of luck – we know you can do it.

Learn more on how TVN Chile jumped on the OTT bandwagon and extended its service geographically: