Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

Waves is a digital platform developed by Prasar Bharati. It aims to cater to India’s growing demand for streaming services.

About Prasar Bharti

Prasar Bharati (abbreviated as PB) is an Indian state-owned public broadcaster, headquartered in New Delhi. It is a statutory autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament and comprises the Doordarshan television broadcasting and Akashvani (formerly, All India Radio or AIR), which were earlier media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Parliament of India passed the Prasar Bharati Act to grant this autonomy in 1990, but it was not enacted until 15 September 1997.

Over-the-Top (OTT) Platforms

OTT (Over-the-Top) platforms deliver media content directly to viewers via the internet bypassing traditional distribution methods like cable or satellite. Key examples include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and others.

The term "OTT" also extends to services like messaging (WhatsApp, Telegram) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) calling apps.

OTT platforms are designed to work across multiple devices:

Smartphones

Smart TVs

Laptops and desktops

Streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire Stick This multi-device compatibility enhances accessibility and convenience.

Impact on Traditional Media:

OTT platforms have disrupted traditional cable and satellite industries by offering:

Cost-effectiveness.

Freedom of choice and control for viewers.

A global reach without geographical restrictions.

Components of OTT Platforms

Content Delivery Network (CDN): A CDN optimizes content delivery by distributing it across multiple servers globally. It ensures seamless streaming by reducing latency and buffering.

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming: This technology adjusts the video quality in real-time based on the viewer's internet speed ensuring uninterrupted playback even in fluctuating network conditions.

Digital Rights Management (DRM): DRM protects content from piracy by encrypting and managing access based on subscription or licensing models.

Data Transmission and Encoding

Media files are encoded into formats like H.264, H.265 or AV1 to compress the size without compromising quality. This process reduces bandwidth usage while maintaining high-definition (HD) standards.

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS): A common protocol that splits video into small segments for smoother delivery. Each segment is streamed dynamically based on the user's device and connection

Monetization Models

Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD): Fixed monthly or annual fees (e.g. Netflix, Disney+).

Ad-Supported Video on Demand (AVOD): Free access funded by advertisements (e.g. Tubi).

Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD): Pay-per-view services (e.g. Amazon Prime rentals).

Hybrid Models: Combination of subscription and ads for revenue optimization.

Sources:

BusinessStandard

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q:Consider the following statements about video compression technologies used in OTT streaming:

Video compression removes redundant data while maintaining acceptable visual quality.
Lossless compression is commonly used in OTT streaming.
Modern video codecs like AV1 and VP9 provide better compression efficiency compared to older codecs like H.264.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Compression algorithms eliminate unnecessary data such as repetitive color or pixel information reducing file size without impacting visual quality.

Statement 2 is incorrect: OTT platforms predominantly use lossy compression (e.g., H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1) to balance quality and file size. Lossless compression while maintaining perfect quality results in much larger file sizes and is impractical for streaming.

Statement 3 is correct: Advanced codecs like AV1 and VP9 are more efficient than H.264 offering similar quality at lower bitrates which helps reduce bandwidth usage.