As streaming video continues to surpass broadcast and cable TV to become the mainstream media choice, OTT service providers are facing an increasingly competitive landscape. To succeed, providing an exceptional user experience is crucial for retaining customers and reducing churn. The media player on the wide range of client devices plays a pivotal role in ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience. However, service providers face several challenges when it comes to media players.
Tiledmedia – The recipe for a future-proof OTT video player
Today’s consumer has an insatiable hunger for video content at any time, which has created a vast streaming media ecosystem. To serve enough ‘bread and games’ to the masses, OTT service providers have no choice but to cover many platforms, such as iOS, Android, web, set-top boxes, TV dongles and smart TVs. This buffet of platforms has been the cause of many headaches for OTT service providers integrating a video player into their application.
LTN – Harnessing the power of IP video distribution to drive cost efficiency and ROI
The media industry is changing rapidly. Fierce competition is fueled by the entry of big tech companies and digital platforms, as well as the decline of traditional linear television viewing. It’s never been more important for Tier 1 media companies to remain laser-focused on delivering more customized content globally and increasing ROI while staying on budget. Content providers need to reassess their operational models and leverage scalable, cost-efficient video distribution solutions to overcome these challenges and maintain their competitive edge.
Knox Media Hub – A fast(er) road to FAST?
The “Streaming Wars” is on everybody’s lips and 2024 has brought together all in agreement: with the SVOD churn now a reality, content providers are turning to FAST and AVOD to diversify channels and revenues (recommended Kantar’s extensive research).
Brightcove – UK media makeover: new opportunities for local broadcasters
In recent years, media consumption in the UK has seen a drastic transformation. Streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon and Apple have increasingly dominated the scene, leading to shifts away from traditional broadcast viewing. Ofcom’s Media Nations report highlights that streaming has become a primary mode of content consumption for many, with more than 80% of UK households now having access to at least one streaming service.
LTN – Looking beyond satellite and fiber: why it’s time to transition to IP
In the pre-streaming age, video delivery and consumption were simpler. Feeds consisted of fixed content transmitted from a single source to a broad audience via cable or broadcast networks, and there was little room for targeted segmentation. Fast forward to today, and audiences are scattered across multiple streaming platforms, channels, and devices. This has meant that media companies face the challenge of creating diverse experiences that capture their attention while also tailoring content to deepen engagement — all while maximizing profitability.
Ateme – Reducing streaming’s carbon footprint through innovation
The video streaming industry, which now accounts for 60-80% of global internet traffic, is facing increasing scrutiny due to its significant contribution to carbon emissions. According to a report from The Shift Project, internet activity is responsible for approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure that is expected to rise as demand for streaming services grows. This surge in video consumption has driven the expansion of data centers, network infrastructure, and consumer devices, all of which add to the industry’s environmental impact. In response, companies like Ateme and other video processing vendors are focusing on innovations such as advanced video codecs, efficient compute platforms, and AI-driven optimizations to reduce data size, energy consumption, and overall carbon footprint in the streaming ecosystem.
Agile Content – How TVaaS empowers telcos and ISPs to seamlessly enter the TV market
In the ever-evolving and highly competitive telecommunications landscape, delivering high-quality TV services has become a critical factor for success. However, for Tier 2 and Tier 3 telcos and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), entering the TV service market presents a daunting challenge. The obstacles are numerous, ranging from limited infrastructure and technical expertise to significant capital investment requirements. Building and maintaining a robust TV platform demands not only substantial financial resources but also continuous content management and the agility to respond to rapidly changing consumer preferences. For many smaller telcos and ISPs, these challenges result in either subpar TV services or an inability to offer these services at all. Studies have consistently shown that households with bundled TV and internet services exhibit significantly higher retention rates compared to those with standalone services. For instance, a recent report by Deloitte revealed that 40% of consumers are more likely to stay with their current provider if they are satisfied with their TV service. This customer retention is crucial for smaller telcos and ISPs operating in a saturated market, where competition is fierce and customer loyalty can be hard to secure. Offering a compelling service can act as a significant differentiator, helping these companies retain customers who might otherwise switch to competitors offering more comprehensive service packages.
Accedo – Is AVOD really all the rage?
AVOD has garnered a lot of attention over the past few years, with some sources forecasting that its global market will reach over 71 billion USD by 2030; a significant increase compared to the 28 billion USD reported in 2023. Changes in user spending habits and a challenged microeconomic climate have certainly played a role in accelerating adoption but do ad-funded business models really deserve all the hype? Keen to understand the latest consumer trends and preferences, Accedo recently carried out a survey of 2,000 global consumers to assess the appetite for ad-funded versus subscription-based video streaming services, also examining what constitutes a good ad experience. The findings were somewhat surprising.
Zixi – Factors contributing to the TCO of streaming at scale
In the dynamic world of video streaming, media organizations are constantly seeking efficient and cost-effective solutions to manage their large-scale implementations. One of the key metrics that has to be met to validate any purchase decisions is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). And, like Maslov’s famous Hierarchy of Needs, TCO analysis must start with foundational requirements.