The different between OTT and IPTV - Industry Knowledge

IPTV is referred to as TV delivered through Internet. IPTV is simply the delivery of TV services through an Internet Protocol Suite over a Packet Switched Network, instead of traditional signal, cable or satellite networks.
In broadcasting, Over-The-Top content (OTT) is the delivery of audio, video, and other media over the Internet without the involvement of a multiple-system operator in the control or distribution of the content.
The Internet provider may be aware of the contents of the Internet Protocol packets but is not responsible for, nor able to control, the viewing abilities, copyrights, and/or other redistribution of the content.
The major difference between OTT & IPTV is that the OTT content is delivered over a public network (i.e. http) and IPTV is delivered over a private network (Something like UDP), which is generally the MSO’s own infrastructure. OTT here can be a broader term from a consumer/viewer’s point of view as they get to access a variety of content through an OTT service, aggregated on a single platform, along with the flexibility of accessing this content on-demand. IPTV too allows all models for broadcasting its content including Live TV, on-demand and pay-per-view but the problem can be that it is only a limited choice of content for viewers.

Below are some the key differences:

Comparison Category

OTT ( Over the Top)

IPTV ( Internet Protocol TV)

Content Delivery

Uses open internet,un-managed

network.Open ecosystem

Uses dedicated, managed

network.Walled garden

ecosystem

Network Type

Delivered from content provider

/ aggregator to the viewer using

open network. Usage of CDN

Closed, proprietary

network,accessed via

a specific internet

service provider

Network Relationship

Without the need for intervening

carriage negotiations, or

infrastructure investments

Services are delivered

on optimized and custom

high bandwidth network

Service Examples