OTT Media: A Better Way to Watch the News
April 19, 2023
In the years since Netflix has dominated the streaming scene, cable channels and especially cable news have become less relevant. While people still want to be informed about current happenings, many people consume news through social media or on-demand streaming services instead of traditional cable news channels. Explore the world of OTT media, including the OTT meaning, common OTT examples, and why OTT is better for news watching.
OTT Media: A Better Way to Watch the News
The most significant advantage of using OTT services is that the news found on streaming services is more substantial. When cable news was popular, there were many times when news segments were filled with stories lacking any value. Although there are cable channels dedicated to 24-hour news, many of the anchors reiterate the same story hour after hour.
However, when news is consumed through OTT services, the news stories tend to be more substantial. Not only do OTT services allow content makers to target news media to specific audiences to make it easier to understand major current events, but these content makers can also spend more time on delivering significant news. Long news series can also be more easily followed with OTT services.
OTT Meaning and Examples
OTT stands for over-the-top, and in media, OTT is a service that offers content directly to viewers through the internet rather than cable service. OTT has been around since Netflix started the boom in streaming services. Today, some of the most popular OTT media services include Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, and other on-demand streaming services that tailor content to the viewer's preferences.
OTT streaming services are typically delivered directly to viewers through devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Some viewers may have devices connected to traditional TV that can host OTT services, such as game consoles or devices that support OTT apps, such as Roku. Many traditional cable companies also support OTT streaming services as part of new service bundles.
Why Do Viewers Prefer OTT?
Aside from enhancing the quality of news consumption, there are several other reasons why viewers may prefer OTT services. One of the biggest advantages of an OTT service is access to ad-free content or limited ad interruptions from commercials. While many OTT streaming services will require premium subscriptions to enjoy ad-free content, the ads on free subscriptions are still significantly shorter than traditional cable.
What About FAST?
OTT services may also support FAST, which is free ad-supported streaming for live TV. Essentially, FAST is a way for viewers to access live TV without paying for a cable subscription that includes channels the viewer is not interested in watching. The ads on FAST channels will also typically be less lengthy than the ads on traditional cable channels. An example of an OTT FAST app is PlutoTV, which features live news segments and curated channels.
Keeping up with the news is important for modern life, but that doesn't mean viewers have to rely on traditional cable news. OTT streaming services can give viewers direct access to high-quality news and other tailored content. To learn more about OTT services, contact Lightcast today.
