The quality of OTT streaming has become critical. Viewers are in charge of their content consumption, and whenever they are unsatisfied with an experience, they easily change one platform for another. For this reason, it is not just about content now. Quality of experience is a vital part of an OTT strategy.
Providing high-quality streaming can help attract, retain, and delight viewers. Since viewers are quite demanding, it becomes challenging to stay ahead of the competition and meet all user needs. Let’s delve deeper to learn how to improve your OTT streaming.
How to Improve Your OTT Streaming? Top Strategies
#1 Implement Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR)
Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) is a crucial technology that plays a critical role in providing high-quality OTT streaming. ABR adjusts the video quality dynamically based on the viewer’s internet connection strength and device technical requirements, which ensures uninterrupted playback.
The transcoding process is necessary for empowering ABR technology. The transcoder generates multiple copies of the same video in various bitrates and sizes. When a user’s connection drops, the quality of a video will be adjusted to renewed conditions. This helps ensure a seamless and buffer-free experience.
#2 Integrate robust CDN
CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a network of servers strategically distributed across the world. This provides rapid content delivery anywhere by caching content on edge servers instead of constant content transmission from an origin server.
Furthermore, CDN helps content creators and broadcasters ensure load balancing for their streaming services. When you have spikes in viewership, CDN will distribute traffic evenly across multiple servers, preventing overloads.
Content delivery network also allows you to prioritize video content protection against DDoS attacks. But don’t forget to update CDN infrastructure regularly to remove security vulnerabilities.
CDN is one of the elements that allows people in Europe to watch Albanian TV live.
#3 Optimize content
Content optimization can be the key factor in optimizing OTT streaming quality. One of the things you can do is leverage modern video codecs to reduce sizes but maintain quality.
Another strategy is to offer content in different resolutions to tailor quality to different device capabilities. Adaptive content to screens of users’ gadgets without quality loss is essential.
#4 Track quality
Monitoring quality is paramount for ensuring a seamless and high-quality viewer experience. Content providers and broadcasters should track metrics of different aspects of a video streaming business. These metrics include buffering rates and startup times.
Conducting content delivery audits can help identify areas for enhancement and improvement.
Tracking viewer behavior analytics may bring critical insights into user preferences, which helps providers make informed decisions about video production and engagement strategies.
#5 Focus on the viewer’s experience
Content providers and broadcasters should focus not only on video production but also take into account creating an interactive experience. This is one of the approaches to growing watch times and brand loyalty.
A video streaming business can implement a recommendation engine that analyzes viewer interests and offers relevant suggestions. Viewers can also appreciate cross-platform capabilities so that they can choose the device to watch content on.
Final Thoughts
Since users are in charge of their content consumption, they leave video streaming platforms if they aren’t satisfied with the experience. As a result, content providers should provide a better quality of experience if they want to retain customers. ABR, CDN, analytics monitoring, implementing new features, and optimizing content can move your platform to another level.
