OTT Video Streaming: The Increased Demand For Personalized Viewing

OTT Video Streaming: The Increased Demand For Personalized Viewing 

With several aspects pitching up the overall growth of the OTT video streaming market as high as nearly 40%, there can be no doubt that Covid-19 pandemic situations have proven highly lucrative for OTT service providers. 

However, as the world begins to open up once again and as users are mulling over picking the right subscription-based video services, the focus is indubitably shifting towards the quality of experience and long-term viewer retention. Global brands and big digital media service providers are now offering engaging multi-platform viewing experiences across a plethora of industries including entertainment, sports, and broadcast. 

In this article, we will discuss what personalized viewing really means and how it is reshaping the future of OTT video delivery solutions and on-demand video streaming services.


What is Personalized Viewing?

In the digital landscape, personalized viewing can be defined as the action of displaying or producing media content specifically tailored to meet individual needs, demands, or tastes.

Every single day, we come across different types and forms of personalization in the media and entertainment industry. For instance, based on the specific choices and selection of video streaming services and genres, the OTT platform recommends video content to the users. We have further categorized it as implicit and explicit personalization solutions.

Implicit and Explicit Personalization

Implicit Personalization

Implicit data refers to the information accumulated and learned through viewer’s online video streaming behavior. For example, if a user watches or streams several episodes of a particular OTT content, the online video streaming service would recommend content in similar categories because of the user’s viewing behavior, contemplating that it is the kind of content that the user generally prefers watching.

Explicit Personalization

Explicit content is what a user might display his interest or tell, for instance, a video streaming service. If a viewer were to rate any online series with a ‘like’ or ‘thumbs up’, the service would gather a clear understanding that it is the type of media content that the user relishes watching or that he would like to have similar content recommendations.

Within the space of online video delivery solutions, personalized viewing mainly refers to a one-to-one experience, where all the service offerings are customized as per the user’s interactions and behavior. By inculcating personalization, you can make each viewer feel as if the service is specifically devised for them, thereby increasing organic engagement.

Thanks to future-focused technologies such as recommendation engines and machine learning, delivering a personalized video streaming experience is now largely automated.

Also Read: OTT Media Opportunities You Should Not Miss in 2021
Personalizing End-To-End Online Video Streaming Experience From Application Development & Launch To Media Playback

The colossal increase in on-demand video streaming solutions has created a paradigm shift. No longer are the users concerned about the ownership but instead, they are more solicitous about media access. With Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, and other video streaming platforms competing to provide users with the best streaming services for less costly monthly subscriptions, users get the freedom to select how and what they want to watch.

There are more options available for users with default app functionalities such as auto-playing trailers or content, automatically playing the next episode, automatically skipping the intros, and more.

Accessibility Will Be Under User’s Control And Will Be More Mainstream In The Coming Future

Now, more than ever, digital media service providers are pushing to make their OTT video delivery solutions more accessible. The efforts are not just for those with disabilities, but in general, for everyone.

We predict that in the coming months, users will start witnessing an evolution in the way platforms promote accessibility. It will no longer be a ‘tucked away’, ‘special’, or a ‘hidden’ feature masked in the user settings. 

Final Thoughts

The aforementioned facts depict how we believe personalized viewing is changing the OTT and video streaming industry. There’s absolutely no doubt that more and more trends and features will emerge as time passes by and become more essential in the market space than becoming more populous or crowded. 

Want to discuss or need any assistance with OTT or video streaming app development? Drop us a line. Our experts will build intuitive and immersive video delivery applications with personalized solutions that will cater to the varied requirements of your target customer base.