The Ultimate Guide to OTT Technology

13 Oct, 2024, No comments

Over-the-top (OTT) technology refers to the delivery of media content via the internet, bypassing traditional cable or satellite television. This model has transformed how consumers access entertainment, offering flexibility and a wide array of choices.

Key components of OTT technology

Content Delivery Networks - CDNs, a CDN is a distributed network of servers that delivers content to users based on their geographical location, by educeing latency and buffering, ensuring smooth streaming experiences.
Video Encoding and Compression - The process of converting video files into a suitable format for streaming, common codecs include H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and VP9. Efficient encoding ensures high-quality video while minimizing file size.
Common streaming Protocols include HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH), and Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP). These protocols manage how video data is sent over the internet and adapt to users' bandwidth.
A well-designed UI / UX is crucial for user engagement, Search functionality, recommendations, and easy navigation enhance user satisfaction.
Content Management System - A CMS helps to manage and organize video content, making it easy for providers to upload, categorize, and update media.

Benefits of OTT technology

1. Flexibility - Viewers can view content anytime, anywhere, and on various devices.

2. Diverse Content - Access to a broad range of genres and languages, including niche content that may not be available on traditional platforms.

3. Cost-Effectiveness - Generally, OTT services are more affordable than traditional cable subscriptions.

4. Personalization - Advanced algorithms provide tailored recommendations based on user preferences and viewing habits.

Challenges in OTT technology: Content Licensing - Bandwidth - Piracy - Market Competition

OTT technology is reshaping the entertainment landscape, offering consumers unprecedented access to various content. As the market continues to evolve, staying informed about technological advances and user preferences will be crucial for success in this dynamic industry.

Mobile Operators in the African Video Streaming Market

13 Oct, 2024, No comments

Mobile operators play a vital role in the African video streaming market. Their involvement enhances accessibility and drives growth in many ways:

Many mobile operators offer data bundles specifically designed for streaming. These packages frequently provide affordable access to popular platforms, making it easier for users to consume video content.

Partnerships with streaming services- Operators are forming strategic partnerships with streaming platforms to offer bundled subscriptions For example, deals may include discounted rates or free trials for services such as Netflix.

Mobile operators are investing in network infrastructure, including 4G and 5G rollout, which improves streaming quality and reduces buffering. This is essential for user retention and satisfaction.

Local Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): By establishing local CDNs, operators can enhance streaming speeds and reduce latency, providing a better viewing experience for users.

Operators often run promotional campaigns that encourage users to try streaming services, sometimes including free access to certain content for a limited time.

Operators are partnering with local content creators to promote African stories, which can attract more subscribers and cater to regional tastes.

As mobile operators continue to adapt to the increasing demand for streaming, their contributions will be pivotal in shaping the future of the African video streaming landscape.

Hybrid TV technology

15 Aug, 2024, No comments

Integrated Viewing Experience at Hybrid TV provides a seamless interface where users can access both live TV channels and internet-based content from a single platform.

Viewers can access video-on-demand (VOD) services, catch-up TV, and other online media alongside their regular TV programming.

Modern hybrid TVs offer more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, often with smart TV functionalities that allow for easy navigation between traditional and online content.

Hybrid TV services often use advanced STBs that combine a TV tuner for traditional signals with internet connectivity for streaming and online features.

Users can access a wide range of media sources, including streaming services like Netflix or Youtube, alongside traditional TV channels.

Hybrid TV systems can offer personalized recommendations based on viewing habits and preferences, thanks to data from both traditional and online sources.

As technology advances, hybrid TV Increased use of AI to provide more personalized content recommendations and improve interactive features.

Hybrid TV represents a significant evolution in how content is consumed, As technology continues to evolve, the hybrid TV model become more sophisticated and integrated into our daily viewing habits.

AI at TV Integration of Emerging Technologies

15 Aug, 2024, No comments

AI and Machine Learning: These technologies are being used to analyze viewing habits, predict trends, and personalize content delivery. They also help in detecting and mitigating piracy.

Virtual and Augmented Reality: Some IPTV services are exploring VR and AR to create immersive viewing experiences, though this is still an emerging trend.

IPTV - OTT Regulatory Developments

15 Aug, 2024, No comments

Global Regulations: IPTV services are facing increased scrutiny from regulators around the world. This includes regulations related to copyright enforcement and content distribution rights.

Local Compliance: Different regions are implementing specific rules for IPTV providers, impacting how content is delivered and monetized.

CDN - Content Delivery Networks

15 Aug, 2024, No comments

Advancements in CDNs: Modern CDNs are optimized for delivering high-quality video streams with minimal buffering. They’re crucial for managing the massive data traffic associated with IPTV services.

Edge Computing: This technology helps in processing data closer to the end-user, reducing latency and improving stream quality.

Evolution of IPTV Services

15 Aug, 2024, No comments

5G Integration: The rollout of 5G networks is enhancing IPTV experiences by providing faster speeds and lower latency. This improves streaming quality and supports more concurrent viewers.

Providers are focusing on improving user interfaces and integrating AI to offer personalized content recommendations and better search functionalities.

Free TV streaming platform launched in South Africa

14 Nov, 2018, 1 comment

TV2GO, a free streaming TV platform with “over 100 channels”, has officially launched in South Africa.

The TV2GO platform – available at www.tv2go.co.za – was first punted for South Africans by Infinivy SA and Cast-TV in October.

TechCentral has now reported that the platform is officially live in the country, and is backed by Infinivy SA and Cast-TV. Jomo Sono was listed as the current president of Infinivy SA.

“TV2GO offers an extraordinary user experience to watch their favourite programs anywhere, anytime, and on any device,” stated the release.”

“TV2GO content lineup features movies, documentary, fashion, martial arts, gaming and kids channels, which can be watched on the SPI network of channels. It also offers live streaming news channels from Euronews and Africanews as well as numerous independent thematic channels and live streaming of local radio stations.”

Duplination, Nov. 9, 2018

Free streaming service launched in South Africa

11 Nov, 2018, 1 comment

A new video streaming service has been launched in South Africa. Named TV2GO, the service is free and does not require users to subscribe.

Unlike its competition iSouth Africa, namely Netflix and Showmax, all a viewer needs to access TV2Go's 100 plus channels is an Internet connection, there is no need to sign-up, register or pay a subscription fee.

“Our goal is to bring free TV to the people," said Jomo Sono, President of Infinivy South Africa (the company behind TV2GO)".

How the video streaming service works

Firstly, the video streaming service features a variety of content like movies, documentaries, fashion shows, martial arts, gaming and kids channels. Added to that there is also live streaming news channels such as Euronews and Africanews as well as numerous independent thematic channels and live streaming of local radio stations.

The service free to view and all users have to do currently is visit the TV2GO website and select the channels they want to watch. You still have to pay for your data (Internet connection) costs the same way you would when streaming videos on YouTube or Vimeo. How TV2GO makes money is through advertising, viewers will be subjected to a mximum of 8 advertisements during every thre hour viewing period.

Furthermore, the company is involved in exploratory talks with South African telecommunications company, Vodacom, to explore ways it can offer the content through the Vodacom app. This will also include specific vouchers for TV2GO viewing on the Vodacom network, similar to what MTN is doing with Jay-Z's music streaming service, TIDAL, across Afrika.

Business model

As mentioned, the business model is nothing new but the age old ad-supported business model of many Internet media companies. Infinivy cites the IAB/PWC Report of 2017 which states that digital ad spending in South Africa grew by 36% over the last 12 months to R3,4 Billion with mobile driving this growth, posting a 60% year-on-year increase in online ad spending, and a 22% increase in search spending, as one of the main reasons they are launching the service.

"Infinivy believes in embracing the Free Advertising Generated Income business model for its maximum monetization and scalability capacity, while offering Freemium TV, an unnumbered quality of free diverse linear and non-linear channels to the users. Combined with its aggressive Revenue Sharing plan with its telcos partners, this model guarantees a Win-Win formula all parties."

Will it succeed?

"That's a difficult question to answer. Ultimately an ad-supported media business survives mainly on its ability to generate content that attracts enough people to receive enough advertising revenue to cover costs and make profit to grow".

iAfrican, Nov. 9th, 2018

Free-To-Air TV Service ‘TV2GO’ Takes Off in South Africa, Set to Challenge Satellite TV Viewing

11 Nov, 2018, No comments

There has been plenty of discussions about the future of TV since the start of the year. As video streaming continues to stand on more solid ground, traditional TV and satellite providers are losing ground fast.

Now a new threat has emerged to increase that pressure even further. South African company, infinivy SA has just launched TV2GO, a free-to-air TV platform. The platform is completely web based, uses no decoder and has no app presently. The platform is accessible via mobile phone browsers, tablets, and even internet-enabled TV devices.

Currently, the completely web-based TV platform has over 100 linear and on-demand channels for viewing. Its channels range from general entertainment, sports and religion.

The platform currently has content for the South African market only. Nonetheless, Infinity SA plans to increase its offerings and expand the service to other African countries like Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia. These three countries represent not just some of Africa’s largest economies, but they also possess the continent’s highest populations.

Interestingly, unlike other internet TV platforms, TV2GO doesn’t use a subscription model for revenue generation. Instead, it plans to make money from advertising. It explains that for every three hours of viewing, users may see up to eight adverts. This seems like a workable plan, considering income levels across African countries.

Jomo Sono’s Infinivy SA owns 26% of TV2GO with Israeli company Cast-TV owning 75%.Included on the platform's channels bouquet is the Jomo Cosmos soccer channel, owned by Sono.

Free TV for South Africa

18 Oct, 2018, 12 comments

The wait is finally over – South Africans can now access and enjoy FREE TV like never before. With over 100 channels of quality diverse content, TV2GO offers an extraordinary user experience to watch their favorite programs anywhere, anytime and on any device. And the best part is that it’s totally FREE 24/7/365, without any hidden fees for all network customers and on 3G, 4G and wifi.

TV2GO content lineup features movies, documentary, fashion, martial arts, gaming and kids channels, which can be watched on the SPI network of channels. It also offers live streaming news channels from Euronews and Africa News as well as numerous independent thematic channels and live streaming of local radio stations.

Led by Mr. Jomo Sono South Africa’s former football legend and current president of Infinivy SA, the technology company behind the platform and user interface, TV2GO presents a game changer that has the promise to break the mold of the current TV market in South Africa by delivering a FREE TV product. “Our goal is to bring FREE TV to the people”, said Sono. Get ready to be amazed with TV2GO Free TV www.tv2go.co.za.

IT News Africa, Oct. 25th, 2018

http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2018/10/free-tv-is-here-for-south-africa/

IS TV DEAD?

16 Oct, 2017, No comments

IPTV is making a name in Broadcasting

August 1^st, 2017

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is expanding yet not harmful typical broadcasters. The electronic transformation will certainly be led by businesses that look past the conventional service design and also by those that doubt the current electronic broadcasting status while concentrating on their target markets. Also conventional program media is making a strong impact, in spite of the stamina of IPTV streaming and also the acceleration of the linked globe.

Mark Wilson-Dunn, Vice Head of state of BT Media and also Broadcasting Enterprises stated merging is everything about adaptability. “The fact is that IPTV, of web as well as internet TELEVISION is an extremely tiny component of exactly what broadcasting is as well as constantly has actually been.

“Nonetheless, it is expanding as well as extremely rapidly. Broadcasters need to place frameworks in position, which permit you to adjust and also accept the brand-new innovations. TELEVISION is still most likely to be the favored technique of seeing the excellent films and also showing off occasions, however if you’re stuck on a train someplace or in a flight terminal lounge after that you’re viewing tablet computers or phones” he claimed.

Many telcos today require custom IPTV systems that are fully integrated with their own custom billing systems, custom IPTV offerings, and multiple packages for subscribers.

Cast-TV is the leading expert in developing customized IPTV technology solutions for telcos and providing and end-end solution encompassing a customizable platform, a wide variety of live streaming and VOD content, a CRM system designed for synchronized billing, as well as first level 24/7 maintenance and support.