Internet-based services are a part of our lives now. Both a business and a viewer benefit from them.
IPTV and OTT industries are growing fast. In fact, they are on the rise now. Companies get involved in the OTT market by sharing videos with their expertise with viewers, and viewers appreciate the flexibility and convenience of video streaming services.
Let’s look at the details of what IPTV is and its formats.
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What is Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)?
IPTV refers to Internet Protocol Television. Generally, it means that television programs and shows are delivered to end-users over the Internet.
To create a complete picture, let’s observe other distribution methods like cable and satellite. With cable and satellite television, providers stream live content – they send signals in real-time, and viewers receive them in real-time. As a result, the consumer can watch only those programs that are broadcasted right now. People cannot decide when to view programs as everything is decided for them.
The IPTV distribution method is different. It doesn’t use fiber-optic cable or radio waves. Instead, it transmits content via the viewer’s internet connection. This is what brings far more flexibility to viewers compared to traditional television. IPTV systems offer more control and personalized experience to consumers.
There is a complex infrastructure that makes IPTV operate, including encoding and transcoding processes. But viewers can watch what they want.
What are the IPTV Video Streaming Formats?
Using the internet to deliver videos gives a lot of opportunities for comfortable video streaming both for viewers and content providers.
#1 Video On Demand (VOD)
Video-on-demand is one of the most appreciated functionalities of video streaming services. It means what it sounds like: videos are available on a viewer’s demand. They watch videos whenever they want. Moreover, there is no limit on what and how many people can watch.
However, there are different types of VOD services depending on how viewers access videos:
- Ad-based VOD allows customers to watch videos for free. Content providers generate revenue by running ads of third parties on videos.
- Subscription-based VOD means that a user needs to purchase a subscription to access videos on the platform. They get unlimited access to content as a result. The subscription can be renewed or canceled at the end of a paid period.
- Transactional-based VOD offers people to pay for every single piece of content on the video streaming platform.
- Hybrid VOD is a combination of several monetization models described above.
Among so many options, viewers can choose what suits them more.
#2 Catch-Up TV
It is a time-shifted media – viewers can watch programs that have been aired earlier that day, but they missed it. However, people can access catch-up content for a limited period of time. The period is usually defined by a content provider.
#3 Live streaming
Live streaming is similar to broadcast television. These are videos transmitted in real-time. Live streaming is highly popular in the sports industry.
Final Thoughts
Internet-based video streaming services make both viewers’ and businesses’ lives easier and more convenient. Consumers can watch whatever and whenever they want, as these services are usually available on multiple platforms, while businesses can generate revenue and get in touch with viewers via video streaming platforms.
IPTV services don’t have a fixed schedule and offer more benefits, such as VOD content and time-shifted programs. Moreover, people still can watch live television.
