OTT Platform: Full Form, Meaning and List 2023

OTT full form is Over-The-Top. We all are constant consumers of these OTT platforms. In short, OTT (Over-The-Top) is a type of service that provides content over the internet. Some examples of famous OTT platforms are Amazon, Spotify, Netflix, Facebook, etc. My favourite OTT platform is YouTube.

In this blog, I will cover OTT Platforms and services in detail – OTT meaning, definition, types of OTT, etc.

This blog will be your complete reference guide about the OTT platforms in India.

Let us begin by understanding what is OTT platform? and check out the List of OTT platforms in India.

OTT Platform

You now understand that OTT is an abbreviation and its full form is Over The Top.

Beginning of OTT platforms

In 2005 Youtube was launched. Google purchased it in 2006. It was the beginning of online content being available to the audience.

But the story of the OTT platform serving movies was rooted earlier.

In the 1990s, there were two companies in the USA – Blockbuster and NetFlix. Both of these used to give movies on rent on CDs and DVDs. Did you know that there were physical stores where one could go, choose the movies and rent them? doesn’t it sound strange today. Initially, all transactions were manual, but later postal services were also engaged.

In 2007 NetFlix started rolling out its online streaming service.

Between the two, I found Netflix was always more customer-oriented. They made things more straightforward, and also their interface was more accessible to customers.

Blockbuster also started with its streaming service. But somehow, their service and features were never consumer-friendly.

The main reason why NetFlix emerged as the leader of the video-on-demand service was that it was technologically solid. Also, they have continuously innovated and come up with better and more user-friendly platforms.

Fun Fact: I was a member of Blockbuster service. Maybe because the store was closest to where I lived, or perhaps the name “Blockbuster” sounded more authentic. 😀

Apple launched Apple TV in 2007, which used to feed TV with movies, shows, etc., that were on your Mac devices.

Samsung launched its first internet-connected TV in 2008.

Amazon launched Amazon Unbox, which was a video service, in 2006.

So all the industry leaders started laying down the groundwork in the 2000s for platforms that would provide OTT services.

What is OTT platform?

In simple terms, OTT means providing content via the internet. Any platform that provides any type of content that you can access using the internet is an OTT Platform. Content can be of any type like media, audio, or videos. Platforms used to access OTT content can also be of any type like a PC, laptop, mobile, television, etc.

OTT Platform provides a type of service that streams content, for example, media, audio, videos, etc., directly to viewers on any device via the internet.

The most famous example OTT platform is YouTube. It provides video (i.e. content) directly to viewers (i.e. you, me, etc.) on any device (i.e. phone, laptop, etc.) over the internet (i.e. Airtel, Jio, etc.).

If you don’t know what YouTube is, then this blog is not for you. 😉 Please stop reading and go and check out YouTube. Almost two billion users are watching YouTube per month; why aren’t you?

Different types of OTT platforms

You are surrounded by platforms that are providing you with different types of OTT services. Some OTT services are free, and some are subscription-based. So you can choose as per your preference.

Following are the different types of OTT services available in India.

• Audio OTT platform – Spotify, Saavn, etc.
• Video OTT platform – NetFlix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, etc.
• Media OTT platform – Facebook, Pinterest, etc.
• Messaging OTT platform – WhatsApp, Twitter, Telegram, etc.
• Commerce OTT platform – Amazon, Flipkart, etc.

Many platforms are now an amalgamation of multiple OTT services, i.e. they provide audio, video, etc., all in one platform. Amazon Prime is a great example.

Video OTT platforms are all the rage nowadays, so the term “OTT platform” is loosely used to refer to video OTT platforms.

How is the OTT platform service different from cable and tv services?

The main difference is that you can choose what to watch and when to watch it. Another huge advantage is you can pause and play. Following are other comparisons between OTT and cable/TV services.

OTT Platforms in India

India is an excellent market for content. We love watching our TV serials, cricket, etc. Now with the power of OTT, there is an explosion of content, especially regional language content.

Today we’re surrounded by platforms providing OTT services, and it’s hard to imagine a time without them.

The beginning of OTT platforms in India

In 2008, Reliance Entertainment started BIGFlix. This introduction began the journey of Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms in India. The nexGTv in 2010 was the first mobile app.

Reliance was the one that started live streaming TV and on-demand services in India. And ever since then, OTT platforms in India haven’t looked back. It’s growing from strength to strength.

Did you know: Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 were the first cricket matches to be live-streamed on the OTT platform.

Effect of Covid-19 lockdown on OTT platforms

Lockdown is an emergency protocol that prohibits people from leaving a specified area. The Covid-19 pandemic has gripped the world since 2020. So to stop the human-to-human spread, many countries went into lockdown. India also asked its citizen to stay at home.

With nothing much to do at home, the usage of OTT started growing. Especially in metro cities, where the internet infrastructure was already in place. The speed and cost of internet plans gave a significant boost to usage. Airtel, Reliance Jio, BSNL, Vodafone, etc., made the internet more affordable to the general public. It’s because of this and good internet speed that made OTT platforms gain momentum.

Usage statistics for 2020:
– The five metro cities account for 60% of OTT usage.
– Indians under the age of 35 years account for 90% of usage.
– Males account for 80% of usage.

Due to the lockdown, the movie theatres were also closed. Filming of movies and TV series had also stopped. All this made OTT platforms the only option available for watching the content of our choice. Also, the vast collection of movies and tv/web series makes it an irresistible opportunity.

OTT made binge-watching possible

Binge-watching means watching several episodes of your favourite web series back-to-back. It’s also called binge-viewing or marathon-viewing. This binge-watching was impossible with cable/TV because an episode of a TV series is released once every week.

OTT platforms deliver the entire season so that you can watch all the web series episodes in one shot. Hence binge-watching became a possibility.

Check out the top movie recommendation and the top TV series recommendation on each of these platforms.

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is a content streaming device that lets you access OTT Platforms on your TV. Thus it helps in converting your ordinary TV to a Smart TV.

Do remember to check the Fire TV Stick’s compatibility with your TV before buying it.

Buy this Fire TV stick

OTT Platform List in India (with content language)

Following is the list of OTT platforms in India. This OTT platforms channel list is regularly updated. It contains the most famous OTT platforms in India currently functional.

I have also provided a list of languages in which the content is available. If I have missed any OTT, then do let me know in the comments section below.

10 Best regional OTT Platforms in India for watching movies, web series and shows

Following is the list of the top 10 OTT platforms in India that provide video services in India’s regional languages. You can watch movies, web series and shows in your preferred native languages.

• Hoichoi – Bengali regional OTT platform
• Sun NXT – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Bengali regional OTT platform
• Aha – Telugu regional OTT platform
• Koode – Malayalam regional OTT platform
• Planet Marathi – Marathi regional OTT platform
• Asianet Mobile TV+ – Malayalam regional OTT platform
• BIGFlix – Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, etc. regional OTT platform
• Addatimes – Bengali regional OTT platform
• Hungama – Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi, Bengali, etc. regional OTT platform
• Manorama Max – Malayalam regional OTT platform

Click on the name of the regional OTT platform to see our review.

Did you know:

– most prefered langauge of content is Hindi>English>Telugu>Punjabi>Bengali>Marathi>Tamil.

*data courtesy Counter point research

Pros and cons of OTT services

It’s a great tool of the modern days but only if enjoyed responsibly.

Following are some Pros and Cons of the OTT Platforms.

Amazon’s Audible is another great OTT platform for listening to your favourite books. Please read our complete guide on Amazon Audible here.

FAQ

Following are some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are OTT platforms in India regulated?

The Indian Government included OTT video streaming platforms under the Information and Broadcast (I&B) ministry. They have introduced a three-tier regulatory mechanism.

The OTT platform itself will make Tier-one regulations by appointing a grievance redressal officer. Tier-two grievance redressal regulations will be made by a self-regulatory body comprised of all the OTT platforms. The I&B ministry would do Tier-three by setting a committee to hear grievances.

How are OTT platforms earning their revenue?

Most of the OTT platforms have paid subscription services, so that is their primary revenue stream. Ott platforms that provide content for free earn from advertisements. Also, big platforms like Netflix, Prime, etc., have started producing their content to bring down their net cost.

Can I watch the OTT platform on mobile?

Yes, you can watch OTT platforms on a mobile, tablet, laptop, computer, and TV.

Which is the biggest OTT platform?

Out of all the OTT platforms, NetFlix has the most number of subscribers. YouTube is the most-watched OTT service. Its users watch more than a billion hours of video on it per day.

Bottom Line

OTT platforms and services have given a new meaning to the world of entertainment. Gone are the days when we used to watch scheduled programming on TV channels. Now you have the power to choose and watch what you want when you want and where you want.

OTT in India is estimated to grow to $ 5 Billion in the industry by 2025. More and more quality content is being produced. Platforms with content in regional languages are gaining popularity.

OTT in India is growing, and dare I say, it’s exploding.

I am excited, how about you?

Which are the best OTT platforms in India? Here is our review of the best OTT platforms in India.

Check out the upcoming movies on top OTT platforms.

Check out the upcoming TV and web series on top OTT platforms.

Do you enjoy content in regional languages? Then check our review of the best regional OTT platforms in India.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.