How Virtual Reality is Enhancing OTT Streaming

Through virtual reality, you can create a truly immersive experience for your OTT streaming audience. Prepare for the next generation of online content with a strong strategy that incorporates this ever-evolving tech. Explore five innovative new ways to enhance your over-the-top content with VR to drive inspiration for your own campaign.

5 Ways to Elevate OTT Streaming Content With Virtual Reality

1. Produce an Interactive Game

Users can interact with 3D objects in the VR space, so consider shaping a unique experience for your audience with gamified content. For example, a quick trivia contest can measure a user's knowledge of your brand offerings. You can even provide discounts, bonus codes, and other incentives for participants. Polls and surveys also increase engagement while gathering valuable audience data.

2. Create Immersive Live Performances

Put the audience in the center of the action with live-streaming OTT VR content. Showcase performances from live music to comedy to sports and much more. Educational platforms can add engaging lectures and expert demonstrations. These productions give your brand a chance to stand out with memorable content that offers real audience value.

3. Host Exclusive Events

Bring users together and build excitement around your brand. Use exclusive virtual events to roll out new products, highlight service upgrades, or host Q&As with relevant subject-matter experts. With the advent of 360-degree VR video, you can let your clients tour actual spaces and browse your locations. For example, clothing retailers and beauty brands often hold virtual "try-on" events.

Virtual viewing parties are also gaining popularity, giving users the nostalgic experience of watching a TV show or movie in a communal theater setting without leaving their own comfortable chairs. Nurturing the relationship with your audience through a strong community enhances brand loyalty.

4. Encourage Audience Participation

Virtual reality gives you the opportunity to deliver real-time content based on user input. Consider a "choose your own adventure" style video where the audience member's response to on-screen questions and choices influences the next segment they see. Higher levels of customer control over content correlate with longer viewing times and more frequent repeat visits to your channel.

5. Provide Purchase Options

Add a call to action to drive conversions directly from your VR content. You can promote subscriptions, sell virtual items, or let your users unlock exclusive content.

Some brands even roll out virtual shops, while virtual museums with fee-based exhibits are a popular innovation for education content channels. If you produce a demonstration of how to use your product with a VR OTT ad, give the viewer a seamless way to purchase that product without leaving the platform to accelerate conversions.

Our OTT experts are ready to bring your best VR ideas to life. Data from Statista suggests that around 25% of global internet users will have access to VR by 2026, so it's time to get ahead of the curve. Our infrastructure and support give your users the seamless experience they expect from their favorite brands. Connect with Lightcast today to elevate your OTT content through next-generation tech.