What is Vimeo OTT?
Vimeo OTT is one of many services that lets content creators and broadcasters create their own Netflix-style streaming service. In this article we’re covering what OTT is, what Vimeo OTT is, why you might want to use it, and some of its most appealing features.
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What is OTT?
OTT stands for “over-the-top”. It originally referred to devices that went “over” cable boxes to give viewers access to additional TV content. These days, OTT content refers to any internet content that specifically comes from a content provider, such as Hulu or Netflix, and that can be watched on a variety of devices. Meanwhile, OTT devices are any devices purely for content consumption such as smart TVs and gaming consoles.
OTT doesn’t usually mean free, as services like Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ require a subscription to use. But it usually does refer to “cord-cutting” or bypassing traditional media – in this case, traditional cable service. OTT is more of the industry term that you’ll hear behind the scenes, while consumers would probably just call it a streaming service.
What Does Vimeo Otherwise Offer?
For those with a vague familiarity with Vimeo, you may know it as a free video streaming service that tends to host short films. It’s like YouTube but for filmmakers and artists. They also offer several resources for creators including live streaming, video templates, stock footage licensing, and premium video hosting. Vimeo OTT is something entirely different, however.
What is Vimeo OTT?
Vimeo promised that their OTT service will “transform your video content into a full-scale subscription service”. But what does that mean?
Essentially, Vimeo OTT is a way to create your own live streaming service. They highlight Indieflix as an OTT they have worked with. Going to Indieflix’s website, you would never know they had worked with Vimeo. Their streaming service seems completely standalone and custom, yet it’s all working on Vimeo’s back-end. They also show off MHz Choice, Dropout, and even The Emmys as success stories. Vimeo offers several templates and the ability to change images, text, and basic layout, or you can tinker with their open API. So sure, many of the sites and apps created by Vimeo will end up looking similar. But that will only really happen if you’re looking for a pattern. The average consumer won’t notice, or care. Most streaming platforms won’t need to worry about Vimeo not being custom enough, but the lack of a full custom solution is probably the one drawback that an enterprise might run into.
The degree to which you use Vimeo’s services can vary a lot. On one hand, you can spend a large budget and create a fully custom streaming service that works with Vimeo’s great storage and streaming solutions. And on the lower end of the spectrum, you can start by moving a YouTube channel to a more revenue-centric platform. They offer a variety of monetization options so you can make the most of your platform.
To date, Vimeo has helped over 1000 channels grow their OTT business, with a high level of success!
Vimeo OTT Plans
Vimeo OTT offers three levels of plan. The Starter plan charges you $1 per subscriber per month. This is great for someone just starting out with subscription-based content. The next level, Growth, is for organizations that expect to have over 500 subscribers. The plan costs $500 per month, per app, and also includes branded apps and additional support. For a fee, this plan helps you get your app onto devices and services like Apple TV or Roku. Then of course there is the customizable Enterprise plan which offers volume discounts, API and SDK support, digital rights management, and more. This plan is obviously ideal for large companies with a big budget, who want their streaming service to be available everywhere. The two latter plans support live streaming for special events.
Why Would You Use Vimeo OTT?
If you’re researching OTT, you’re probably not just an individual content creator who is starting out. You’re likely sitting on a large collection of content across a variety of properties – whether its a plan to get the rights to stream various movies, or you’re part of a studio that has produced several shows. Vimeo OTT is for people who want a bit more of a turnkey solution. You’ll sacrifice extreme customization for the luxury of working with a team that can handle the technology and user experience. Making your own and making it function well can be difficult. Why not let the experts do it for you? One of the biggest upsides is that they can create your app not just for one platform but for applications across mobile devices, smart TVs, game consoles, and dedicated streaming boxes. You don’t have to hire a programmer to create the next Netflix – you can just hire Vimeo!
Vimeo OTT is far from just a fancy hosting platform, however. You’ll get access to detailed analytics that will help you make informed decisions about your pricing and what content is performing best. The insights are real-time, meaning you can see the effects of brand new content as it’s happening. You’ll see why subscribers join, why they stay, and how to increase customer lifetime value.
The best part is, the system scales in a fair way whether you have one subscriber or millions. Many solutions are only for large-scale enterprises or only for small creators. Vimeo OTT manages to create plans that work for every size business without imposing limitations that will hold you back. Growing is easy, whether you grow fast or slow.
To learn more about Vimeo OTT and to download case studies, check out the Vimeo OTT page.
