OTT Full Form

OTT Full Form: OTT is the services that offer viewers access to movies, TV shows, web series, and other media directly through the Internet, bypassing cable or satellite systems. They can be accessed through internet-connected devices like computers, smartphones, set-top boxes, and smart TVs. In India’s regulatory system, they are called ‘publishers of online curated content’.

OTT platforms include services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Sony Liv, Disney+, Hulu, etc. The content available is not free and one has to pay a subscription fee for it. Recently OTT was in the news on a regulatory mechanism for over-the-top (OTT) communication services, that is whether OTT services should be regulated or be let to continue to operate as it is.

In this article, we will discuss the full form of OTT, its background, regulation, pros and cons, etc.

OTT Full Form

The full form of OTT is Over the Top. Over the top is a technology that delivers streamed content like audio, video, and other media content over the internet directly to users. These services can be accessed through mobile phones, smart TVs, laptops, etc. It uses Artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze user preferences, and viewing history. While some content is free on these platforms, they charge a monthly subscription fee for their premium content including movies, TV shows, web series, and podcasts.

OTT platforms have a global outreach, allowing users worldwide to access content. The OTT industry has witnessed significant growth, with new players entering the market and existing ones expanding their content libraries. The regulation of OTT platforms varies by country. Some countries have introduced guidelines or regulations to govern content, often addressing issues like age ratings, censorship, and user data protection.

Background on OTT Regulation in India

OTT platforms are also called ‘publishers of online curated content’. The content includes audio, and video like movies, web series, podcasts etc. It is mostly available to users on demand. India will emerge as the world’s sixth-largest OTT service provider by 2024.

In India, most of the OTT platforms have gone for a self-regulation approach to ensure responsible content practice. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has established a Digital Content Complaint Council (DCCC) that addresses content-related grievances. However, due to the absence of specific and detailed rules Union Government disapproved of this code formed by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), and Digital Curated Content Complaints Council (DCCC) and decided to bring OTT platforms and their censorship authority under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Guidelines Issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)

In November 2020, various guidelines were released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to regulate digital content, including OTT platforms. These guidelines were provided to bring digital media platforms under the same regulatory framework as traditional media. Some important points were:

• Self classify content into five age based categories: U(universal), U/A7+(years), U/A 13+,U/A 16+, and A.
• Parental lock for any content classified as U/A 13+ and above.
• To establish grievance redressal mechanism.
• Age verification mechanism for content classified as ‘A’ (adult).

In February 2022, to regulate OTT platform the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 was released by the government. The rule included self-regulatory system for the OTT platforms, including three-step process for addressing complaints and Code of Ethics.

Need for Regulating OTT Platforms

The various reasons due to which the need for regulating OTT platforms arises are as follows:

• To OTT platforms responsible for th e content they show as there is no separate legislation to regulate OTT platforms.
• To create a non-discriminatory, level playing field for OTT platform and traditional media like television and cinema.
• To safegaurad users from inappropriate or harmful content.
• To maintain the standard of the content according to the ethics, societal and legal norms.
• To ensure fair competition among different OTT platforms.
• For the child safety that is to protect children from viewing obscene and vulgar or inappropriate content.
• To prevent the spread of content that could cause any public disorder like violence, communal disharmony.
• The OTT platform should be regulated as it depends on the existing telecom infrastructure.

Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023

Recently, Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 was released by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. It replace the Cable Television Networks Act of 1995 and other policy guidelines currently governing the broadcasting sector in the country. Key features of the bill are:

• Consolidate and update the legal framework for the broadcasting sector.
• The bill extends the regulatory purview to cover broadcasting of the over-the-top (OTT) content and digital news and current affairs, currently regulated through IT Act, 2000 and also keeps the option open for including any new platform developed in the future.
• It provides for contemporary defintion related to broadcasting and other important technical terms for the first time and various other future provisions.
• The Bill strengthens self regulation by establishing ‘Content Evaluation Committees’ for self-regulation and different Programme and Advertisement codes for different Broadcasting Network Operators.
• It also introduces a ‘Broadcast Advisory Council‘ that will advise the central government on violations of program and advertisement codes.
• The bill addresses the specific need of the person with disability by promoting the use of subtitles, audio descriptors, and sign language and also provides for the appointment of Disability Grievance Officer.
• It provides for penalties such as advisory, warning, censure, or monetary penalties for operators and broadcasters. It reserves imprisonment and/or fines for severe offences, like obtaining registration with a false affidavit.
• The Bill links monetary penalties and fines to the financial capacity of the entity. It takes into consideration, the entities turnover and investment for fairness and equity.
• The Bill introduces provisions for infrastructure sharing among broadcasting network operators. It “streamlines the ‘Right of Way’ section to address relocation and alterations more efficiently, and establishes a structured dispute resolution mechanism”.
• It establishes a structured dispute resolution mechanism.

The bil provides unified, future-focused approach and adapts to the dynamic world of OTT, Digital Media, DTH, IPTV, and more, promoting technological advancement and service evolution

Pros and Cons of OTT Platform

The pros and cons of OTT platform are as follows:

Pros of OTT Platforms	Cons of OTT Platforms
OTT offers wide range of content that is accessible anytime, anywhere with an internet connection.	Users need a stable internet connection to access the content.
It offers a diverse range of content, including movies, TV shows, web series, documentaries, podcasts and exclusive original programming.	To view the premium content on the OTT platform users need to pay some subscription fee.
Based on their preference users can personalize their viewing content.	Content licensing limites the availability of certain titles.
OTT services can be accessed on various devices such as mobiles, smart TVs, tablets, and computers.	As there large number of OTT platforms offering premium content, there is increased competition.
Most of the OTT platforms provides high-quality original content and exclusive shows.	Sometime buffering issues can occur especially during peak times or due to network congestion.
It offers content without the need for traditional cable subscriptions.	Not all OTT platforms provide the option to download content for offline viewing, limiting accessibility in areas with poor internet connectivity.
OTT platforms has global outreach and makes the content available internationally.	Users may find it challenging to discover new titles as there is large volume of content available.

Challenges in Regulating OTT Platform

There are various challenges in regulating OTT Platform such as:

• There is large volume and diverse range of content available on OTT platform. Therefore, determining standard and enforcing regulation becomes a challenge.
• To strike a balance between freedom of expression and preventing offensive content can be challenging.
• OTT Platform is having a global presence therefore it become difficult for the individual countries to regulate content.
• To determine fair and sustainable revenue-sharing models between OTT platforms, content creators, and regulatory bodies is a challenge.
• Emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and virtual reality, provides new challenges in regulating content and user interactions on OTT platforms.

Way Forward – OTT Full Form

While regulating OTT platform there is a need to maintain a balance between innovation, freedom of expression, and user protection. Some steps that can be taken includes:

• To establish collaboration among countries to determine common regulatory frameworks for OTT platforms.
• Encourage OTT platforms to adopt self-regulatory measures, including codes of conduct.
• To maintain the standard for the rating systems and content classification.
• Strengthen data protection laws to safeguard user privacy.
• We need unbiased regulatory body to regulate the content of OTT.
• Maintain the quality of the content and promote equality.
• With the advancement in the technology their is need to regularly update rules and policies.

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Summary – OTT Full Form

In simple terms, OTT (Over-the-Top) platforms are like digital hubs where you can watch movies, TV shows, and more directly through the internet on devices like phones and smart TVs. Examples include Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. In India, these platforms are also called ‘publishers of online curated content.’ The government has introduced guidelines to regulate them, like classifying content based on age and setting up ways to handle complaints. These platforms offer a wide range of content, but there are challenges in deciding what’s okay to show and how to ensure user safety. Overall, they’ve become a popular way to watch entertainment, but there’s ongoing discussion about how best to regulate them.

FAQs on OTT Full Form

Which is the first OTT in India?

The first OTT platform launched in India was BIGFlix. It was launched by Reliance Entertainment in 2008. However, the first OTT mobile app in India was nexGTv, and was launched by Digivive. It offers live TV and on-demand content.

What are the disadvantages of OTT platforms?

The disadvantages of OTT platform includes dependency on the internet, subscription cost, security and privacy. Another disadvantages of the OTT includes lack of cencorship and addiction to the OTT platform.

Why is OTT used?

OTT delivers the content on-demand over the internet. It provides flexibility and convenience to the users to watch movies, shows, web series anytime, anywhere on various devices, like mobile, laptop, etc.

Do OTT platforms make money?

The OTT platform uses revenue model that depends on the money either through subscription or through advertising during streaming or can use combination of the both.

What is the difference between OTT and normal TV?

OTT delivers the content over the internet on various devices like mobile, laptop, etc. It allows on-demand access to movies and shows. Normal TV depends on traditional broadcasting methods like cable, satellitesignals to deliver the content on TV.