Over-the-top media service

A media service that is delivered directly to viewers via the use of the internet is known as an over-the-top (OTT) media service. Over-the-top (OTT) services circumvent the cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms, which are the kinds of businesses that have historically acted as controllers or distributors of material of this kind. It has also been used to describe cellphones that are not provided by a carrier and in which all communications are charged as data in order to avoid monopolistic competition. Additionally, it has been used to describe applications for mobile phones that transmit data in this manner. These applications can either replace other call methods or update software.

The phrase is most often associated with video-on-demand (SVoD) services, which are paid subscriptions that provide access to on-demand versions of movies and television shows.

The term "over-the-top" (OTT) refers to a wave of "skinny" television services that offer access to live streams of linear specialty channels. These services are comparable to those offered by traditional satellite or cable TV providers; however, they are streamed over the public Internet rather than a closed, private network with proprietary equipment such as set-top boxes.

Access to over-the-top services can typically be gained through websites on personal computers, as well as through applications installed on mobile devices (such as smartphones and tablets), digital media players (including video game consoles), or televisions that come equipped with integrated Smart TV platforms.