Over-the-top media service

An over-the-top media service (also known as over-the-top television, OTT TV, or simply OTT) is a digital distribution service of video and audio delivered <a href="/facts/Direct-to-consumer/49y9pk0M">directly to viewers</a> via the <a href="/facts/Public_Internet/Xw1rVvJU">public Internet</a>, rather than through an <a href="/facts/Terrestrial_television/3nTUr9cY">over-the-air</a>, <a href="/facts/Cable_television/GzXa4pbW">cable</a>, <a href="/facts/Satellite_television/UxytxnPW">satellite</a>, or <a href="/facts/IPTV/tHqsXX6h">IPTV</a> provider. The term is synonymous with "streaming platform".
OTT services may be subscription-based or free, and are typically accessed via <a href="/facts/Television_set/8moTsqhB">television sets</a> with integrated <a href="/facts/Smart_TV/JE3CHk0y">Smart TV</a> platforms, <a href="/facts/Streaming_device/sXozrqGf">streaming devices</a> such as <a href="/facts/Amazon_Fire_TV/HDhtDsYY">Amazon Fire TV</a> and <a href="/facts/Roku/sRlmtJql">Roku</a>, <a href="/facts/Video_game_console/K72D1NSS">video game consoles</a>, websites on <a href="/facts/Personal_computer/koaYfNce">personal computers</a>, and <a href="/facts/Mobile_app/r7vp6meo">apps</a> on <a href="/facts/Smartphone/cSIrBMWG">smartphones</a> and <a href="/facts/Tablet_computer/6pGX2I7b">tablets</a>. 
OTT bypasses <a href="/facts/Broadcast_television/BT0FfFcy">broadcast</a>, cable, and satellite transmissions—the system through which companies have traditionally acted as controllers or distributors of television content. This content may include shows and movies for which the OTT acquired licensed rights from the content owner. Programming may also include original content produced by the service or specifically for it.
OTT services include paid services such as <a href="/facts/Netflix/TKtlFVY9">Netflix</a> or <a href="/facts/Amazon_Prime_Video/xyAbHsRE">Amazon Prime Video</a> which provide access to <a href="/facts/Video_on_demand/jWQq1o80">subscription-based film and television content</a> (SVOD), or <a href="/facts/Free_ad-supported_streaming_television/sA9N7l2P">free ad-supported streaming television</a> (FAST) services such as <a href="/facts/Pluto_TV/GjXMf9ML">Pluto TV</a> and <a href="/facts/Tubi/XHpnxDqD">Tubi</a>. OTT services also include a range of "skinny" television offerings by streaming platforms, such as <a href="/facts/Sling_TV/0XDj46DI">Sling TV</a> and <a href="/facts/Hulu_with_Live_TV/BzDs7GsQ">Hulu with Live TV</a>, that provide <a href="/facts/Live_streaming/rsFwFXrD">live streams</a> of <a href="/facts/Specialty_channel/e1gzlAAo">specialty channels</a>. In 2023, using OTT platforms constituted 38% of global television consumption. OTT TV, commonly called <a href="/facts/Streaming_television/D6aUck27">streaming television</a>, is the most popular method for watching television in the United States as of 2025.

Over-the-top media service open-in-new

Over-the-top media service