OTT, OTA, TV, what does it all mean? Do you know the difference between these different types of video services?

In today’s world of technology, video has become more of a personal preference than ever. More and more options are becoming available, and everyone has a different preferred way to watch TV. Let’s talk about the most common types of video service, and which might be right for you.

OTA (Over-the-Air): Think rabbit ears antenna television service – Local service that is delivered to your TV via antenna. While location and interference may affect reception quality, you can’t beat the price: it’s free!

Traditional Linear TV Service: Cable and satellite service has become synonymous with linear TV service. This is content that is delivered to your TV set, usually via a set top box, which gets you more channels than you would normally get through OTA service. You may also get the ability to stream shows on-demand and record live TV to watch later.

OTT (Over-the-Top): Over-the-Top service refers to any separate service that delivers content on-demand directly to your TV or other devices. This is a little different than Traditional Linear TV Service as you may have options to stream, store, and even download some shows and movies. Popular OTT services include Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Go.

What is right for you? Well, that entirely depends on the kind of TV you like to watch. Do you want to keep up with the local news, sports, and weather? OTA or Linear Video may be right for you. Do you want to watch exclusive content, binge new shows as they release, and watch TV on your schedule? OTT is likely the best option for you.

At the end of the day, everyone has different wants and needs, and our TVs are advanced enough to provide us with exactly what we need to unwind at the end of a long day.