Video on demand is fast becoming the most acknowledged trend for online content delivery. According to a report, VOD streaming platforms are ramping up to 155% year-over-year viewing times.
It is no longer news that people prefer video to other kinds of content, including articles, emails, and infographics. Still, evidence shows video will only grow bigger as more people are beginning to access the internet. Cisco Systems predicts that video demands will grow higher as internet-connected devices grow, with over 70% of the world’s own mobile devices, further increasing demand for 4K/UHD content.
This rise of video is not entirely on the entertainment scene but is already leveraged by broadcasters, small and large brands. Video on demand is riding the frontiers, especially for one major reason – the ability to offer content to the audience whenever and however they choose to view it. Therefore, Video on Demand offers seamless efficiency, convenience, and cost optimization in a single package.
In this article, we take a look at what video on demand is and its great benefits. We will also share insights on how to choose the right VOD solution for your brand.
The Role of Video on Demand
VOD or video on demand is about accessing content using online libraries. Traditionally, consumers can only view content from broadcast media outlets and channels, according to the media outlet’s schedules. With VOD, consumers can now view anytime they want with a great range of compatible devices. Video delivery platforms are systems that host and share those contents to consumers. They use content delivery networks (CDNs), globally distributed servers offering fast and dependable content delivery to audiences and businesses. Hulu, Disney+, and Netflix are popular VOD delivery platforms. However, companies on the other hand, require VOD solutions offering monetization, security, and hosting features. Some VOD solutions come with live-streaming features, but VOD streaming is entirely different from the latter, as VOD requires previously recorded content.
With VOD, consumers enjoy the convenience of streaming videos instantly without full access to the content. They can also restart, pause, rewind, forward without reduced video quality, performance, or excessive buffering.
On the business side, professional VOD solutions provide full control over how and where you wish to distribute your content. You can choose from many monetization options such as pay-as-you-go, sponsored ads, or subscription-based viewing. Brands can also harness data insights on their consumers’ behaviours to refine their content delivery strategy for maximum ROI.
Choosing The Right VOD Hosting Providers
However, harnessing the full benefits of VOD requires selecting the right video-on-demand hosting provider. But first, to make that choice, you need to consider the factors driving your choice. Monetization, device support, content delivery network, and cloud infrastructure are the primary conditions to consider. Next, custom branding options, white-label, ease of use, and scalability, are some features to drive your choice.
Overall, the best should be a cloud-based VOD platform that can offer consumers uninterrupted playback across multiple devices while protecting your content from unauthorized downloads. Your video delivery system should give you full control over your content, alongside a vast range of monetization options and in-depth analytics to keep track of your content over time. With the right video-on-demand platform, you can create great video content that delivers memorable experiences and maximizes your ROI.