Video Business Models

OTT (over-the-top) refers to delivering video directly to viewers over the internet, bypassing traditional cable and broadcast. Netflix, Disney+, and countless niche services are OTT platforms. Because OTT content is premium and often licensed, it typically requires multi-DRM, concurrency limits, and geo-restriction to satisfy rights holders.

VOD (video on demand) is pre-recorded video that viewers can start watching whenever they choose, as opposed to scheduled live broadcast. Courses, film catalogs, and membership libraries are VOD. Protecting VOD means encrypting a stored catalog with DRM and controlling access, since the files persist and can be repeatedly targeted.

SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) is a monetization model where viewers pay a recurring fee, monthly or yearly, for unlimited access to a video catalog. Netflix and Disney+ are SVOD services. Its main protection concerns are preventing account sharing and downloading across a large subscriber base.

TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand) is a monetization model where viewers pay per title, through rental or purchase, rather than a subscription. Premium new-release films and pay-per-view events use TVOD. Rentals rely on time-limited DRM licenses, making expiry enforcement and strong protection important.

AVOD (Advertising Video on Demand) is a monetization model where viewers watch free and revenue comes from advertising. YouTube's free tier and ad-supported streaming services are AVOD. Its priorities are wide reach, reliable ad delivery, and ad-integrity technologies, with lighter access control than paid models.

Paywall refers to sections of a website that are only accessible for paying subscribers.

Pay-per-view (PPV) charges viewers a one-time fee to access a specific video or event, common for live sports, concerts, and premium releases. Because a single high-demand event attracts intense piracy and restreaming, PPV relies on DRM, concurrency limits, geo-restriction, and often watermarking to protect one-time revenue.