Featured

Here is how the OTT Culture Continues to Optimize the Television Viewing Experience

Published

4 years ago

March 23, 2021

Cable TV is losing its grip on content connoisseurs and there are no second thoughts about it. However, the positing is rapidly being captured by OTT services that offer content distribution models, consumable via subscriptions. Simply explained, OTT or Over the Top models are more like digital broadcasts, allowing users to view content on-demand, regardless of the device they are using.

The likes of Hulu, Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+, and Amazon Prime are some of the leading OTT providers. However, the list isn’t restricted to these names alone. Moreover, unlike cable services that require corded transmissions, OTT services are pretty flexible. While people can use them on smartphones and Smart TVs, they are slowly but steadily optimizing the visual experiences of non-Smart TV users, courtesy of the streaming devices.

OTT and the Growth Prospects

Over the Top content is growing at an enviable pace, putting the service technology at par with some of the leading global trends. The ease of access followed by the widest-possible content selections makes OTT services stand-out in an era of endless possibilities. Not just that, content options galore with OTT as several providers even offer access to regional and international media, at highly competitive prices.

As the rates are manageable and the subscription model allows individuals to use services at will, the popularity of OTT platforms has permeated even to the smaller cities, thereby bridging the gap between expectations and reality. Not to mention the benefits offered to the filmmakers as they could launch and release most of their creations over select OTT platforms, even when theatrical releases weren’t possible due to the coronavirus.

Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to state that content distributors are slowly lining themselves up for the streaming renaissance and with 5G on its way, OTT culture will be one of the bigger global happenings to watch out for.

Benefits of OTT Platforms

Variety

With a couple of top-of-the-line installed on your Smart TV, you are never expected to run out of content. Unlike cable TV and even certain video-on-demand services, OTT platforms are way more indigenous in their approach. For instance, the likes of Netflix allow you to sort and filter options based on the genre, country, and even the nature of the content.

Besides, censorship is hardly an issue as OTT platforms aren’t restricted by the standard broadcasting norms.

Customization

Clubbed with AI, OTT platforms have grown even more intelligent with time. In most cases, they are good at gauging the preferences based on the viewing history, and therefore, shows and movies are suggested accordingly. Moreover, the recommendations are strictly personalized and the concerned individual is even notified of new and relevant launches.

Better User Experience

OTT platforms are known for their excellent user interfaces. Take Netflix as an example where you literally have the option to see the newer releases, upcoming shows, and other segregations as per preferences. Moreover, you can even select the number of users using the account at the same time, which then calls for varying subscription fees. Overall, with OTT it is the consumer who is in charge of the content.

Availability

OTT services are easy to procure and can be used regardless of the device you are using. While most smart gadgets including TVs and Phones offer built-in access to certain services, you can still use them with non-Smart traditional televisions. The likes of streaming devices, including the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, Apple TV 4K, Roku, and more are playing a major role in pushing OTT across diverse verticals.

While most top-of-the-line OTT services are already available on select streaming devices, with Fire TV Stick being our favorite, you can even install a few third-party ones as per requirements. Then again, the process of installing something on a normal TV might sound overwhelming but you can always look up this great article from FireStickTricks.com on Jailbreak Firestick to get a headstart.

Therefore, none of the OTT services are out of reach, unlike cable TVs that offer curated content in select locales. Therefore, the next time you are stuck with a choice between Cable TV and a streaming device for a basic Television, we expect you to make a wiser decision.

OTT Medium and the Advertising Renaissance

The vitality of OTT platforms isn’t restricted to the consumers but it also makes sense to the businesses, courtesy of the advanced tracking and targeting attributes. Moreover, businesses promoting their products and services on relevant OTT platforms are expected to reap the benefits of hyper-segmentation, thereby seeing higher conversions, as compared to the hidebound strategies.

Not just that, OTT allows businesses to deploy strategic lead generation and monitoring tools like CTR analysis, attribution rate monitor, and video completion rate determiner, which offer a new and improved perspective towards viewing analytics.

However, we are still at the tip of the iceberg when the business-centric potential of the OTT platforms is concerned.

Advanced Features for better Viewership

Despite discussing at length the upsurge of OTT platforms, we haven’t yet covered the specialized features that actually make them special. These are the differentiating attributes that are facilitating widespread adoption of this new breed of entertainment over the likes of traditional resources.

Content Modulation

OTT platforms were one of the early adopters when content modulation was concerned. This means an OTT service allows you to pause, play, and even forward the content at will.

Multi-Gadget Compatibility

This is the feature that makes OTT services one of the more special and intuitive initiatives. Unlike cable TV that is restricted to a single device, OTT allows you to enjoy content pieces across devices. As they offer subscription-based services, you can access the same from another smartphone or TV, provided you know the ID and Password. Most importantly, each of the settings and content recommendations will still be available as they are stored in the centralized, cloud database.

Cost-Effective

Unlike services that need to be paid upfront and cannot be deactivated when not in use, OTT platforms allow you to enjoy access based on the budget and for a specific duration.

Global Content

Most OTT platforms that serve international content allow users to experience multi-lingual support. For instance, Blacklist, one of the popular TV shows currently streaming on Netflix has an international audience base as the content is also available in Spanish and German. Besides, you can also access the subtitles for select shows, thereby taking the language barrier out of the question.

Live Content

Select OTT platforms have scaled beyond the basics of video-on-demand. Instead, they also have an IPTV catalog to flaunt, allowing users to experience live matches and massive global events in real-time. This attribute further minimizes the inclination towards cable TV services.

Original Content Access

Things start getting more tempting from here as OTT platforms periodically shell out original content that is extremely appealing and often critically acclaimed. Moreover, first episodes are often offered for free, making subscriptions almost imminent if the viewer enjoys the initial look and feel of the show. Not just that, you even end up getting recommendations for the original shows, if and when they are launched.

Customizable Content Quality

Last but not least, this feature has a direct relationship with the device you are viewing content on and even the internet connection you are using. Most OTT platforms allow you to select the type of content you want to download to the device for viewing at a different time. Moreover, you can even decide the streaming quality based on the internet speeds.

Conclusion

As seen and even experienced, OTT is the next big thing when media consumption is concerned. Besides, unlike cable TV and related programs, premium OTT subscriptions are mostly free of advertisements and frequent hiatuses. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to state that OTT services are here to stay and the market is expected to grow up to $332.52 billion rather soom.

Plus, the streaming capabilities associated with these services offer the best-in-class user experience, irrespective of the device the content is being watched on. This way, even content creators and distributors are continuously migrating to OTT Platforms to gain the trust of the viewers, which is more relevant in the post-Covid19 landscape.

Related Topics:How OTT changing the media industry

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Featured

Horse Racing Games For iOS

Published

4 weeks ago

March 21, 2025

Olivia

Horse racing is a globally spread sport with billions of fans worldwide. The thrills of the races and the excitement of the betting make horse racing quite popular among adrenaline rush seekers.

However, unlike other sports like football or basketball that you can actually try in your backyard, becoming a racehorse rider is out of reach for most people. But all hope for our fellow race lovers is not lost and the gaming world comes to the rescue.

We are talking about horse racing simulation games where you can pick or breed your own horse, participate in online racing tournaments, earn prestige, take care of your horse, and much more.

Horse racing video games are perfect when it comes to getting the bigger picture of the sport and familiarizing yourself with other aspects apart from racing, like stable management, breeding, and finance management.

On top of that, horse racing video games can help you understand how the sport works, which may help you with the next bet you make on TwinSpires.

Fortunately, there are plenty of horse racing games for iOS, and in today’s article, we will highlight some of the best that you should try.

Rival Stars Horse Racing

This is a game made by a legendary horse race video game developer called PikPok and it is without a doubt one of the best horse racing games available for iOS right now.

The graphics look incredible for a mobile game. They are quite realistic, and the horse movement and the design of the tracks also give you the feel that you are participating in a real-world race.

Rival Stars Horse Racing has quite a fast pace, where you can complete some quests and upgrade your stable, but the focus is on the races, as it should be.

When we talk about the racing part of the game, every racetrack that you unlock offers something new. You get to race at different lengths and surfaces. But let’s focus on the important part, race mechanics.

You can steer the horse, brake, and activate their sprint ability. The horse’s performance is based on multiple factors such as ground consistency, position, race length, previous races, and much more.

Rival Stars Horse Racing also has a quite good breeding, training, and managing system. On top of that, there are many different horse coat colors and breeds. Unlike other games like Zelda where you can get a gold horse, Rival Stars Horse Racing focuses on realism. All of the horses have natural coat colors and traits.

You get to collect or breed horses, transform foals to feed, and upgrade facilities to unlock more options to progress.

The only thing that is missing from the game is the audience on the races since the race courses feel a bit empty with nobody around.

Horse Racing Manager 2024

This is a game that has a rather different approach than Rival Stars Horse Racing. It is focused more on the managing part of horse racing rather than on the actual gameplay and racing. You are in control of your business operation and your goal is to succeed in the world of horse racing and earn money.

You don’t have an impact on the races, and you cannot control your horse. The races are simulated, and the outcome depends on your horse’s stats and abilities.

That’s why horse training, and breeding a champion horse play a really important role in the game.

The best thing about Horse Racing Manager 2024 is the ability to race online. There are live PVP races that occur every 5 minutes and everyone can participate in them.

This is the perfect game if you want to learn what’s happening behind the curtains of horse racing as a sport. You are in control of your breeding rights that you can sell, as well as the age and career path of your horse.

It is an interesting game, especially for those who are not afraid of data and analysis.

iHorse Racing

This is a similar game to Rival Stars Horse Racing but with worse graphics, and fewer options. This game has multiple features like horse training, stable management, horse auction, race entries, CLU-jockey hiring system, and world jockey ranking, and you can connect your Facebook profile to invite friends.

To be honest, the graphics and gameplay of the game are fun and engaging, but I’d still go for Rival Stars Horse Racing, especially if you like a more realistic horse racing game.

Pocket Stables

Let’s drop down all the realism and focus on some retro 2D gameplay. For all retro game lovers who have a passion for horse racing, Pocket Stables is just the perfect game. At first glance, this game might look simple, but it actually has many features that make it even more fun.

For starters, you can build training facilities where you can increase your horse’s stats. Additionally, not all horses are the same and your goal should be to find a horse with the right balance of speed, stamina, and intensity.

As you win races, you’ll receive prizes, that can be used to upgrade your stable and give you better ways to breed a faster horse.

It’s fun, casual, and quite cute. Plus, you get to build your horse racing community and hire people that will take care of your stable.

Casual

Creative Ideas for Best Technology Instagram Post 2024

Published

8 months ago

August 8, 2024

Olivia

Creative Ideas for Best Technology Instagram Post 2024

Are you facing difficulty in engaging your audience with tech posts on Instagram? As social media platforms have transformed into virtual marketplaces, brands recognize the need to showcase expertise through engaging content.

Platforms like Instagram empower connecting with worldwide audiences through captivating visual stories. But, it is quite a daunting task to work and many move ahead to buy Instagram followers as well.

Contemporary consumers scarcely have time for promotion lacking substance. Hence, creatives demand integrating education with entertainment for intrinsically motivating connections. This is why in this post, we discuss top ideas for your tech-posts on Instagram. Read on.

Unique Ways To Boost Engagement

With competition so fierce, it becomes difficult to keep your audience engaged with your post. Below we discuss some essential tips that can make things easy for you. Take a look:

● Researching Optimized Hashtags

Analyzing hashtag clusters witnessing frequent usages around niche conversations aids discovering appropriate tags aligning with targeted audiences. Careful hashtagging aids discoverability and spreads messages to receptive crowds naturally.

● Optimizing Images For Social Formats

Adjusting photos to square dimensions suitable for Instagram feeds and story formats preserves visual quality and context. Proper sizing and cropping focuses viewer attention on essential elements.

● Scheduling Around Peak Engagement Timings

Identifying timing patterns of highest follower activities through analytics aids posting when most eyeballs will likely notice new updates. Repurposing top performing content as story highlights retains visibility.

● Reviewing Engagement And Follower Insights

Regularly evaluating metrics like likes, comments, saves and follower growth rates aids comprehending reception and refining strategies. Tracking identified hashtag or location based communities’ interests guides customized content.

● Partnering With Key Influencers

Reaching wider audiences through cross-promotional shoutouts with popular domain figures expands networks. Collaborations establishing brand authority through third party endorsements bolster credibility.

Final Thoughts

In summary, effectively leveraging visual creativity fueled by data-driven decisions establishes technology companies, alongside support from a dedicated social media growth agency like Thunderclap.it, as thought leaders amid competition on platforms like Instagram.

Consistency, authenticity, and nurturing communities through meaningful interactions are crucial for driving organic visibility and achieving superior returns on social media. While maintaining technical excellence is essential, emotionally connecting with audiences through social missions and humor helps build a loyal following and fosters trust in this experience-driven world.

Business

Exploring the Steps in the Proposal Automation Process

Published

10 months ago

July 3, 2024

Olivia

Exploring the Steps in the Proposal Automation Process

In a fast-paced business environment, efficiency is key to staying ahead of the competition. Proposal automation offers a strategic advantage by streamlining the creation of documents that are vital to winning new business. By automating routine tasks, companies can focus more on the substance and strategy of their proposals. Understanding how it works and the significant improvements it can bring to your business operations is essential. Below, we delve into this process and discuss everything you need to know about optimizing your proposal automation process.

Understanding the Foundation of Proposal Automation

At its core, proposal automation is about enhancing productivity and consistency within the process of creating proposals. By leveraging technology, it replaces the traditional, manual method of drafting documents with a more streamlined, error-proof approach. This transition includes the use of templates, content libraries, and customized data inputs to ensure each proposal is tailored, yet produced with greater speed and accuracy.

For newcomers, understanding the foundation is crucial before implementation. This involves grasping the basics of how automated systems manage data, apply business logic, and produce finalized documents. It’s essential to ensure that your team is well-versed with the system and that all relevant content is digitized and made accessible to the automation software.

Key Benefits of Implementing Proposal Automation

Proposal automation systems offer a multitude of benefits, the most prominent being the drastic reduction in time spent drafting proposals. Employees are freed from repetitive formatting tasks, allowing them to devote more time to strategic functions such as market analysis and personalized client engagement which can significantly influence the success of a proposal.

Error reduction is another major advantage of automating the proposal process. With standardized templates and centralized content management, inconsistencies are minimized, and the risk of outdated information being included is significantly reduced. This elevates the professionalism and credibility of each proposal generated.

Essential Features to Look for in Proposal Automation Tools

Choosing the right proposal automation tools is essential for achieving the desired efficiency and effectiveness. The most valuable feature to look for in such a tool is a robust content library. This allows for quick access to the most current and relevant pieces of content and data necessary for crafting a compelling proposal.

Integration capability is another crucial feature. The tool should be able to integrate seamlessly into the existing technology ecosystem of your organization, including CRM platforms, to facilitate smooth workflows and information exchange. This ensures that sales and proposal teams work with the latest client information and reduce duplication of efforts.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Proposal Automation Workflow

The journey of automating your proposal process starts with the initial setup of the proposal automation tool. This involves configuring the system with your company’s templates, content, and workflows. A key aspect here is to ensure that the templates accommodate various proposal scenarios and that the content library is organized and tagged for easy retrieval.

Next, the tool is integrated with other enterprise systems such as CRM software, ensuring that data flows continuously and accurately between platforms. This step is crucial for maintaining up-to-date content in the proposals and for personalizing them with client-specific data.

Measuring Success and ROI in Proposal Automation Initiatives

To truly understand the impact of proposal automation, it’s important to measure its success and return on investment (ROI). One of the most straightforward metrics to monitor is the reduction in the time required to generate proposals. Noticing a considerable decrease here is often the first sign that the automation is effective.

Another valuable indicator is the quality and consistency of proposals. With fewer errors and greater adherence to company branding, the professionalism conveyed in each proposal can lead to better client perceptions and a higher win rate. Monitoring feedback and win rates can give concrete evidence of the system’s effectiveness.