What does Over-the-Top (OTT) mean?
Over-the-Top (OTT) refers to the delivery of film, television, and other video content directly to viewers over the internet — bypassing traditional cable, satellite, or broadcast distribution. OTT platforms include subscription services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, as well as free ad-supported services. The term ‘over-the-top’ describes the way these services transmit content ‘over’ the traditional telecommunications infrastructure without requiring a cable or satellite subscription. OTT has fundamentally changed how content is produced, distributed, and consumed.
Example:The family drama series was produced specifically for an OTT platform, which meant it was released all at once as a full season rather than following the traditional weekly broadcast schedule.
Example: A child actor’s commercial appeared on an OTT streaming platform rather than traditional broadcast TV, which changed the usage terms in her contract — OTT residuals are calculated differently than broadcast television residuals under SAG-AFTRA agreements.
Did you know?
The term OTT was coined in the early 2000s when internet video services first began competing with cable television. The global OTT market was valued at over $200 billion in 2023 and is projected to continue growing rapidly as traditional cable subscriptions decline worldwide — a trend the industry calls ‘cord cutting.’
You can also find “Over-the-Top (OTT)” and related terms in this category: Online and Digital Media.
