Over-the-top services (OTT) aren’t just a new fad. Streaming video content and video-on-demand have become as important as broadcast television and traditional film presentation, and promise to gain more traction in the years to come. In fact, the OTT market is predicted to reach $223 billion by 2026 – a CAGR of 13.87% over the first half of this decade.
One of the ways OTT succeeds so wildly is the ability for OTT services to be accessed on a variety of devices. Chief among those devices are gaming consoles such as the Playstation or Xbox – 89% of console owners were subscribed to at least one OTT service as of 2017.
Putting a gaming console to good use by giving it double duty makes sense. Without purchasing another device, viewers can access a variety of OTT services and enjoy a wide array of content – no extra TV wiring is required.
Connecting to OTT services with a console such as an Xbox, Playstation, or Nintendo Switch is as simple as installing an app and entering credentials – the same way services like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ are accessed via a Smart TV or phone.
Most major OTT services have apps for a variety of consoles. For example, Playstation 4 and 5 have apps for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Disney+, and HBO Go – as does Xbox One. Console makers continually add apps, and these are but a small sample of apps for both of these consoles.
Most major consoles, in fact, have an impressive array of compatible streaming services.
As it happens, the target demographics for gaming consoles enjoy significant overlap with the demographic interested in OTT content. Although console sales were at their peak around 2008, 2020 still saw nearly 50 million units shipped. With almost 90% of console owners also subscribing to at least one OTT service, it makes sense for manufacturers to provide streaming capability.
This increases console value, allowing higher price points and positioning manufacturers to move ahead of already stiff competition. From a user’s perspective, a gaming console that can also serve up video content and livestreaming eliminates the need for another streaming device like Roku or Firestick. For diehard cord-cutters, a well-provisioned gaming console could replace all entertainment devices in the house.
This overlap of functionality aligns perfectly with the demographic overlap already present, and makes gaming consoles an obvious win-win for a majority of users and manufacturers alike.
OTT shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to market penetration and growth.
Both Xbox and Playstation released next-gen consoles in 2020. Playstation 5 is estimated to grow toward 50 million units sold in 2023, which would represent significant growth, not only for Playstation but the industry at large.
This means the intersection between gaming and OTT streaming stands to remain solid, and smart manufacturers, OTT providers, and content creators will continue to take advantage of an understanding of this key demographic. Whether it’s creating content geared toward gamers or simply understanding how gaming consoles can represent a wide range of entertainment options, the future looks bright for anyone who can show up where viewers are.
Whether you’re a content creator or a burgeoning streaming provider, there’s never been a better time to get started building a great OTT platform. So if you’re ready to kick your OTT project into high gear, contact MAZ now for a consultation and get on board with the OTT revolution.