The 9 Best Streaming Solutions for Starting an OTT Platform in 2023

Did you know as per a study by Statista, the average revenue per user (ARPU) in the OTT video market is predicted to reach $7.07 in 2023? So, here’s a simple business idea for all aspiring entrepreneurs – create your own OTT platform and capitalize on the videos you distribute on the platform.

Let’s put things into perspective. Ever since the pandemic hit the world, Cable TV and Movie Theatres have been replaced with OTT Platforms all over the world. What started with Netflix has now been replicated by many renowned players in the industry, including Amazon, Disney, Apple and Zee among others. 

Given these OTT platforms’ daily subscription rates, the number of users is expected to reach 528.9 million by 2027. (Source: Statista) So, if you’re thinking about profitability, you do the math.

In case you’re wondering what an OTT platform is and how to start your own OTT platform, fret not, we’ve got you covered in this article!

What is an OTT Platform?

An OTT platform (Over-The-Top) is a direct-to-consumer video content platform that offers live or on-demand OTT streaming services to users via the Internet.

Unlike Cable, Broadcast or Satellite TV services, you can stream OTT content across various devices and platforms, such as TV, Mobile, Computer, Game Consoles, and other supporting devices. 

How to Start a Successful OTT Service?

The advent of OTT streaming platforms has witnessed a steep rise in content consumption over the past few years, and the graph is only going in an ascending elevation for the foreseeable future. 

Needless to say, it’s a lucrative business opportunity. All you need to do is crack the architecture part, and guess what? We are here to help you develop an OTT app like Netflix with our step-by-step guide. 

1. Select Your Niche

Explore various genres – entertainment, family dramas, reality shows, educational, regional and religious content, and select a genre that will resonate with your target audience.

2. Content Licensing

The next, and imperative step, is getting your content licensed, which requires lots of money if you wish to get rights from very well-recognized and reputed filmmakers.

A more economic alternative to this is showcasing content created by independent filmmakers who are looking to make profits out of their creations.

3. Choose an OTT Solution Provider

The key to creating a profitable OTT service like Netflix and Amazon is choosing the most suitable white label OTT platform that understands your needs. 

When building your VOD or OTT platform, incorporate features that amp up overall user experience, like offline viewing, resume watching, and cloud transcoding.

Likewise, ensure that the OTT platform providers offers you complete ownership of the platform and options to manage your content library effortlessly, such as bulk upload, drag-and-drop and video scheduling, among others.

4. Define a Revenue Model

Well, the whole idea of owning an OTT platform is to drive profits from the wave of VOD advent. So, it’s essential to have a revenue model in place that translates your vision into monetary terms. 

There are few popular revenue models for OTT platforms you can choose from, including Subscription-based, Advertisement-based, Pay-Per-View and Hybrid Monetization models.

Regardless of the pricing model you choose, choosing monetization, in general, offers many perks, such as steady revenue, privacy, and security against piracy. 

5. Configure Video Hosting

Configuring Video Hosting is an integral step as it will ensure that your OTT platform is visually appealing as well as easy to use and navigate. Moreover, configuring video hosting while building your OTT platform will also add your brand’s persona to the platform.

6. Get Your Branded OTT App

Gone are the days when you had to type a web address to view your desired content, now with mobile phones making the whole world accessible with a few taps, apps have taken over.

So, the next step is evidently getting the mobile app for your OTT platform developed, since a majority of viewers consume content on mobile devices. 

Make sure your mobile app is well-designed, supports multi-devices, and has an easy-to-use user interface. Additionally, since the mobile market is divided into iOS and Android consumers, thinking about an app that is supported on both platforms would undoubtedly be valuable.

7. Content Security

Every benefit has a drawback. In this instance, piracy and hacking pose a danger to your digital assets and might cost the video content industry over US$50 billion annually. Therefore, it’s crucial to have strong content security controls in place for your OTT platform.

You can rely on Digital Rights Management (DRM) and implement AES Encryption, SSL/TLS Encrypted Paywall, and Geographical Restrictions to ensure that your content is secure against hackers. Alternatively, you can adopt the Watermarking techniques or safeguard your content at Data Centres.

8. Leverage Analytics

When it comes to a business that relies heavily on customer engagement, tracking and analyzing user behavior becomes indispensable. 

Therefore, to measure user numbers, app crashes, time spent on the app, and page visits, be sure you have access to Live Dashboard Report and 3rd Party Analytics Integration such as Google or Microsoft Analytics.

You may enhance the general quality of your streaming service by using this data to better understand what consumers enjoy and dislike about your app.

Top 9 OTT Streaming Solutions for Creating an OTT Platform in 2023

#1. VPlayed – All-in-one OTT Solution

CONTUS VPlayed, the world’s leading OTT solution provider, is a SaaP-based digital streaming platform that customizes and enhances cutting-edge digital techniques to produce OTT solutions for broadcasters, distributors, and content owners.

Highlighted Features of VPlayed OTT Solution

→ Video Monetization

With the potential for top video monetization platforms for OTT content distribution being unbounded, CONTUS VPlayed sets up live streaming with safe and practical revenue models including transactional VOD, subscription VOD, and advertising videos.

→ Centralized CMS Support

With CMS, there is an increased possibility for large-scale bulk uploads, useful metadata, live stream scheduling, user profile management, and simple categorization all within the same framework.

→ Dynamic HLS Video Player

VPlayed administers adaptive bitrate streaming for zero buffering output and a smooth playback  without any additional plug-ins and provides the distribution of video assets across all browsers and smart devices with an integrated HTML5 player.

#2. Vimeo OTT – Reliable Video Subscription Service

Vimeo, a video streaming service, provides an OTT alternative to publishers and broadcasters who desire to provide their consumers with media services including management, post-production, collaboration, and marketing alternatives via a subscription-based model.

Highlighted Features of Vimeo OTT Service

→ Exceptional Video Player

Powerful CDNs that provide clients with adaptive streaming make the videos on Vimeo OTT seem excellent everywhere.

→ Versatility

Vimeo OTT continually adds new apps, live streaming, DRM, SDK, API access, and support, based on consumer demands.

→ Comprehensive Assistance

Vimeo OTT provides its users with round-the-clock support and responds to them on a regular basis. 

#3. Setplex – Leading OTT/IPTV Solution

Setplex is an OTT Platform that allows content owners to launch complete OTT/IPTV service with its highly-scalable, low-latency IPTV solutions, With a focus on delivering the best UI/UX across all platforms, Setplex has redefined the way video is managed and consumed.

Highlighted Features of Setplex OTT Platform

→ Multi-Screen Apps

Setplex places your OTT app on all major stores, including Smart TV, enabling users to use your service from any location and expanding the audience for your app.

→ Video Analytics

The real-time analytics reporting tool from Setplex gives you full control over your data. By comprehending your audience’s watching preferences, you may gain in-depth insights into your customer data, subscription income, and content consumption.

→ End-To-End OTT Solution

Setplex offers both on-premises and cloud deployment options, encoding/transcoding, ad monetization, and API connection in order to create a comprehensive OTT solution.

#4. Zype – Build a World-class OTT App

Zype enables you to create direct-to-consumer video streaming services. With cutting-edge playout solutions, monetization choices, and connections with hundreds of SaaS apps, Zype offers the most robust cloud-based video content management and distribution infrastructure.

Highlighted Features of Zype Streaming Platform

→ 24/7 Dynamic Changes

Zype enables you to make changes, observe changes in real-time, and go live right away from its platform.

→ Integrate New Monetization Models

Zype integrates directly with Google Ad Manager, SpotX, native ad sponsorships, and other services to provide you with built-in capabilities for running advertisements, SVOD, AVOD, TVOD and anything in between.

→ Develop and Deploy Quickly

With Zype’s responsive dashboard and templates, you can create high-quality, no-code apps rapidly and deploy them in a flash for productive, productized app development.

→ Gorgeous Designs

Zype’s a rich library of layouts and designs and applies custom fonts to craft an engaging branded user experience for your business.

#5. Uscreen – Trusted OTT TV Platform

Uscreen is an all-in-one video content monetization platform that enables content creators to distribute their content safely by building end-to-end white-labeled web, mobile, and TV apps which work across iOS, Android and Windows.

Highlighted Features of Uscreen.tv

→ Code-Free Apps

The best thing about Uscreen’s white labeled app is that they don’t require coding, enabling you to distribute your video anywhere and everywhere hassle-free. 

→ Marketing and Analytics

Uscreen offers built-in marketing tools, including gift cards, email automations, marketing integrations and so much more, helping you to cut the costs and explore the true potential of your business.

→ Build a Community

With Uscreen’s community features, you get the opportunity to foster your own strong community, thus tapping into the vast benefits of user engagement.

#6. Muvi – Launch Your Branded OTT Service

An all-in-one OTT platform provider, Muvi allows you to launch white-labelled OTT streaming and video streaming platforms, with VOD, Live Streaming, Monetizations, CDN, DRM and many more offerings.

Highlighted Features of Muvi OTT Video Platform

→ Free Trial Support

Muvi allows you to create subscription plans which offer free trials with multiple validity alternatives.

→ Native iOS/Windows/Android Apps

With Muvi, you can build and launch your own iOS, Windows and Android apps that are 100% scalable and work across all iOS, android and windows devices, so that you don’t miss out on any target consumers.

→ Built-in SEO

With all the capabilities you require to rank at the top of search results pages, Muvi provides you a fantastic SEO platform with everything streamlined using pre-defined pieces of metadata.

#7. Streann – Best OTT Software Provider

Streann’s business SaaS platform allows video content owners to quickly deploy and develop market-ready next-generation video streaming platforms with their own features, content, and engagement tools.

Highlighted Features of Streann OTT Software

→ Real-Time Engagement

Streann enables you as content providers to create more engagement with users by allowing people to communicate with you in real-time.

→ Track Insights

Streann provides you with real-time metrics on your content using its machine-learning analytics tools, which aid in understanding your audience’s behavior.

→ White Label Marketplace

With Streann, you can build your branded content apps, with your own name, logos and color scheme, without the need to mention Streann’s name anywhere.

→ No Skipping Ads

Streann’s proprietary disruptive ad technology lets you embrace the power of local ads where you control CPM pricing and keep all the benefits to yourself.

#8. Brid.TV – Secure OTT Video Platform

Brid.TV is a rapidly expanding online video platform that offers publishers and ad networks top-tier enterprise-level video monetization solutions to help them grow their businesses with the aim of providing publishers with the most significant advertising solutions.

Highlighted Features of Brid.tv Video Platform

→ Lightweight HTML5 Player

Brid.TV’s lightweight HTML5 player ensures quick website loads while allowing you to enthrall people anywhere, at any time.

→ Full Access to Platform API

Brid.TV’s extensive platform API enables you to simply incorporate any third-party tools or integrations and take programmatic control of our platform.

→ Real-Time Analytics & Reporting

With Brid.TV, you can expedite reporting by scheduling reports and collecting video and ad performance data in real-time.

→ 24/7 Technical Support

Brid.TV assures you the help of its seasoned team of experts to help with any issues or platform maintenance around the clock.

#9. Castr – Customizable OTT App Solution

For streamers and companies in need of internet broadcasting services, Castr could be the one stop solution. Castr is a video streaming platform that offers video-on-demand (VOD) options. Castr’s OTT service and live streaming web dashboard are linked for simple content release and real-time updates.

Highlighted Features of Castr OTT Streaming

→ Fast App Release

With its live streaming app created in only 24 hours and made available in just 7 days, Castr enables you to distribute your OTT content to mobile devices.

→ Powerful Apps

Castr’s OTT technology integrates seamlessly with its online live-streaming service to offer cross-platform, low-latency, and adaptive streaming on your OTT app destinations.

→ 24/7 Dedicated Tech Support

Castr is devoted to providing 24/7 dedicated tech assistance to its clients through Slack, Skype, and Whatsapp for a seamless OTT streaming experience.

→ Affordable Price

Castr prioritizes your requirements for OTT live video streaming and provides you with the greatest live streaming performance at a reasonable price so you can build your own OTT video streaming platforms.

Conclusion

With the help of an OTT platform, you may grow your audience and revenue. An OTT platform’s introduction might be challenging, though. The creation of mobile applications, analytics, content delivery, security, and a host of other considerations must be made.