Whether you’re a media company vet or a newcomer trying to create your own OTT business, you need to know your way around. Even OTT professionals can find all of the acronyms tough to keep straight, from SVOD and OTT to SSAI and back.
That’s why MAZ, the #1 OTT solution for businesses big and small, has put together this handy list: Every buzzword, acronym and definition you need to know in order to be a total video and OTT pro, organized from A to Z.
Find the exact definition you’re looking for below, or read through to get 100% caught up on all things video and OTT.
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4K – A very high-definition video display, spanning roughly 4000 pixels wide. See also: HD.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) – A form of machine learning that allows a program to simulate human behavior and intelligence. For a video business, AI can be used to recommend relevant videos, track user activity, etc.
Amazon Fire TV – A device by Amazon that plugs into your TV, allowing you to download apps and stream video directly over the internet. Similar devices include Apple TV, Roku, etc.
Amazon Fire Stick – A device by Amazon that plugs into your TV, allowing you to download apps and stream video directly over the internet. Similar devices include Apple TV, Roku, etc.
API– API stands for Application Programming Interface. Meaning a program feature that allows software/algorithms to connect and interact.
App Store – A marketplace that allows businesses to sell downloadable applications to users. Examples include the iOS app store, Google Play store, Roku channel store, etc.
Apple TV – A device by Apple that plugs into a TV, allowing users to download apps and stream video directly over the internet. Similar devices include Amazon Fire TV, Roku, etc.
ARR – ARR stands for Annual Recurring Revenue. The amount of money a business receives per year. See also: MRR.
AVOD – AVOD stands for Ad-based Video on Demand. A type of Video on Demand service that makes money by playing ads throughout. For example, YouTube’s free platform plays ads overtop its videos in order to generate revenue. See here for more.
CDN (Content Delivery Network) – A system of servers distributed in different locations to give local users a faster internet loading speed. For example, a user in Los Angeles can view content from an Australian website on an LA-based server using a CDN, helping it load more quickly.
Chromecast – A device by Google that plugs into your TV, allowing you to download apps and stream video directly over the internet. Similar devices include Apple TV, Roku, etc.
Closed Captioning – A transcript of a video’s dialogue that plays simultaneously with the video. Also see: Subtitles.
Cloud Video Distribution – A system where video files are stored in online servers so they can be accessed and viewed from anywhere. See also: CDN (Content Delivery Network)
CPM – CPM stands for Cost per Mille. Meaning the cost an advertiser must pay to have an ad viewed by 1000 people. See also: Impression.
Digital Rights Management – The act of protecting online intellectual property and ownership of video and other content.
Electronic Sell-Through – A way to buy videos online, allowing users to download and own a copy of the video. See also: TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand).
HD (High Definition) – A high resolution video display, spanning over 720 pixels wide. Typically meant to signify videos that are 1080 pixels wide (1080p).
HLS – HLS stands for HTTP Live Streaming. A method used to live stream over the internet more effectively. It breaks the feed into smaller chunks, allowing services to share it effectively.
HTTP Live Streaming – A method used to live stream over the internet more effectively. It breaks the feed into smaller chunks, allowing services to share it effectively.
Impression – In advertising, impression refers to the moment an ad is viewed by a visitor.
IPTV – IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. It is an umbrella term that refers to the sharing of TV programs online. Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go and other streaming services are examples of IPTV. See here for more.
KPI – KPI stands for Key Performance Indicator. An umbrella term that refers to measurements of a business’s success, such as revenue. See also: ARR and MRR.
Live Stream – A real-time, live video feed being shared over the internet.
Mobile App – Short for Mobile Application. A downloadable program designed for phones or tablets.
MRR – MRR stands for Monthly Recurring Revenue. The amount of money a business receives per month. See also: ARR.
MVPD – MVPD Stands for Multichannel Video Programming Distributor. Meaning a service that gives users a variety of TV channels, such as Cable or Satellite Tv.
Open Source – A program or set of code that is free for public use and modification by developers.
OTT (Over-the-Top) – OTT, short for “Over the Top,” refers to video content that can be streamed over the internet. This is in contrast to traditional video streaming via cable or satellite. To learn more about the past, present, and future of OTT, click here.
OTT App – An application that allows users to stream videos via the internet. Typically available on TVs, tablets, mobile phones, gaming consoles, etc. See here for more.
OTT Streaming – Video consumption that takes place over the internet. Includes video viewing via services like Netflix, YouTube, and more. See also: OTT.
OTT Platform – An online portal that allows users to access videos. To learn more about the past, present, and future of OTT, click here.
OTT Infrastructure – The physical and organizational elements needed to operate an OTT service, such as internet connectivity, devices, screens, etc. See also: OTT.
Patreon – A fundraising platform that allows content creators (including video creators) to share content to an exclusive group of paid subscribers or “patrons.”
Pay-Per-View – A type of Video on Demand service where users pay per video. See also: TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand)
Playstation – An internet-connected gaming console by Sony that is capable of downloading OTT apps and streaming video.
Roku – A device that plugs into your TV, allowing you to download apps and stream video directly over the internet. Similar devices include Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, etc.
SDK – SDK stands for Software Development Kit. Meaning a group of tools that can be used to create apps for a specific coding language or platform.
Set-Top Box – A physical device that connects to a TV screen and allows users to watch OTT video on their TV.
Smart TV – A television equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to access OTT apps and video content without additional equipment.
SSAI – Server side ad insertion (also known as “dynamic ad insertion” or “ad stitching”) is a method of stitching ads into a video stream automatically from an outside server.
Streaming – A method of watching videos, where users can watch immediately over the internet without downloading.
Subtitles- A transcript of a video’s dialogue that plays simultaneously with the video. Also see: Closed Captioning.
SVOD – SVOD stands for Subscription Video on Demand. It is a type of Video on Demand service that users need to subscribe to in order to access. For example, users of Netflix must pay a monthly subscription fee in order to use the service because it is an SVOD.
Teaser – A short segment from a larger work meant to entice users to watch more or purchase.
Trailer – A short segment from a larger work meant to entice users to watch more or purchase. Usually referring to marketing materials for an upcoming film. See also: Teaser.
TV App – A downloadable program designed for viewing on TV and streaming devices. See also: OTT App. See here for more.
TVOD – TVOD stands for Transaction Video on Demand. A type of Video on Demand service where users pay per video. See also: Pay-Per-View.
tvOS – Apple’s native Operating System for their Apple TV product line.
Video Hosting – A web service that allows users to upload, view and share videos from their servers. YouTube is the largest video hosting service.
Video Monetization – Generating revenue from video content. Examples of monetization include ad revenue, subscriptions, paywalls, and more.
VOD – VOD stands for Video on Demand. A system where users can choose which programming to watch at any time, rather than watching a pre-existing schedule of videos (like on cable TV).
vMVPD – vMVPD stands for Virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributor. Meaning a service that gives users a variety of TV channels over the internet.
VTR – VTR stands for View-Through Rate. Meaning the percentage of people who view an entire video or past a pre-determined point in the video, usually measured for an advert’s performance.
VTT – VTT Stands for Video Text Tracks. A method of closed captioning that syncs the video’s speed with the text’s speed using time stamps. See also: Closed Captioning and Subtitles.
Xbox – An internet-connected gaming console by Sony that is capable of downloading OTT apps and streaming video.
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Thanks for reading through the official MAZ glossary of video terms.
If you’re looking to create your own video business, channel or app, be sure to request a demo with our team of experts today.