OTT Services and the Rise of Free Streaming
Recently, OTT services have become extremely popular with many viewers.
After COVID-19, home entertainment time grew, leading to higher OTT usage.
OTT platforms offer multiple contents via the internet.
Popular platforms include Netflix, Watcha, and TVING.
Different from cable TV, OTT lets users watch what they want, when they want.
OTT’s popularity comes from several factors.
One reason is that a wide variety of genres are available in one platform.
Films, series, and variety programs can be selected by preference.
Another benefit is its lower cost compared to classic TV services.
Being able to stream anywhere using mobile devices is also attractive.
As OTT prices continue to rise, users are becoming more cost-conscious.
As a result, attention toward free services is increasing.
Advertising-based services provide content at no charge.
Cost-conscious users find this model attractive.
FAST platforms here are emerging as a new type of free streaming model.
An example is KT’s “Gi Live,” which attracted many users.
FAST is seen as a future growth engine in a slowing TV industry.
Free streaming’s strongest point is that users don’t need to pay.
It allows access to many contents, increasing selection options.
However, users must watch advertisements, which can be inconvenient.
In addition, the quality can be inferior to premium platforms.
In the future, both OTT and free streaming services will continue to evolve.
Advertising-supported services will likely attract more viewers.
Cost-free entertainment remains attractive to users.
Finally, balancing high-quality OTT content with free service accessibility is important.
Using both strengths together gives consumers more satisfaction.
The future of streaming services is exciting to watch.