A Guide To Create Your Own OTT Platform in 5 Simple Steps in 2024

Debarpita Banerjee Published on : 26 June 2024 17 minutes

Ready to Create Your Own OTT Platform? You Can Now Unlock Your Streaming Success in Just 5 Simple Steps! Whether you’re a content creator, a media entrepreneur, or simply a passionate film buff, the power to captivate audiences is now … Continue reading

A Guide To Create Your Own OTT Platform in 5 Simple Steps in 2024

Ready to Create Your Own OTT Platform? You Can Now Unlock Your Streaming Success in Just 5 Simple Steps! Whether you’re a content creator, a media entrepreneur, or simply a passionate film buff, the power to captivate audiences is now at your fingertips. 

What a great time it is to create your own OTT platform, isn’t it? The OTT video market is expected to reach US $316.4 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 6.30% from 2024 to 2029. 

But we know what you must be thinking. That creating your own OTT platform would need a large IT team and a lot of resources and money, right? But do you know, that it’s all a myth? 

Yes, it’s possible to easily launch your own OTT platform without any major investment or IT team. No need to invest a hundred thousand. You can affordably build your own OTT business, that too without any coding or involvement of any IT team.

Nope, it’s not a joke neither we are selling you a bait. With the help of our no-code feature-rich OTT platform solution, content creators and media distributors can launch multi-screen video/audio streaming services on their own at cost-effective pricing.

Our enterprise-grade end-to-end streaming platform involves dedicated IT infrastructure with 24*7 customer support. Out-of-the-box CMS with more than 100 unique features, and instantly deployable native mobile & TV apps. 

From online video player, CDN, DRM, to analytics and multiple monetization options, every premium feature is well kept in the arsenal to scale up your online streaming business.

So, with Muvi One you can start earning revenue on your streaming channel from day 1.

In this blog, we’ll unveil the secrets to creating your very own OTT platform in just five straightforward steps…

Create Your Own OTT Platform in Minutes! Click Here To Get Started!

 

Steps To Create Your Own OTT Platform

Muvi offers ready-made, yet customizable websites and OTT apps for every streaming ecosystem. Just follow the steps below and create your OTT platform in minutes!

1.👉 Sign Up With Muvi One

Start by Signing Up with Muvi One. You can click here to sign up. 

Muvi_One_Signup

As soon as you sign up, your 14-day FREE trial will start. Now login to your Muvi One CMS dashboard for the next steps. 

2.👉 Upload Your Content

It’s now time to upload your content. Follow the steps given below:

  • Go to “Content Management”, and enter “Content Library”. 
  • Click on “Add Content”. 
  • The content form will open where you need to select the “Content-Type” (i.e., video/audio), ‘Content Format”, “Group”. You will also have to fill in the “Content Name”. If you wish you can also select a “Content Category”.
  • Now add other metadata, upload poster, and additional media, and fill in details about cast and crew. 
  • Once you have filled in all the relevant details, click on “Save”. 

Add_Content_Muvi_One

In this way, you can add a single content. You can also upload content in bulk, by following the steps given below:

  • First, download the “Filezilla Client” from here. It is a free software. 
  • Now go to the “Content Library” in the Muvi CMS. Click on “Bulk Upload”. You will get the details to log in to the Filezilla client. Use those credentials to complete the Filezilla login. 
  • Now browse all the files available in your system, and select as many files as you want.  
3.👉 Design Your Website

You can design the front end of your OTT streaming website very easily using Muvi One Visual Designer. Its simple drag-and-drop interface will let you add or edit any design element on your website without any coding. However, if you do want to insert your own CSS or other design code, you can do that too from the code editor. 

Here are the steps for designing the frontend of your website:

  • Got to “Website” and click on “Templates” in the CMS.
  • You will get options to choose from ready-made design templates. Choose the one that you like the most. Now to customize this design, click on “Customize”.
  • The Visual Designer will open. Start editing, adding, or removing the design element as per your choice. 
  • If you want to use the “Code Editor”,  click on <> symbol on the top bar. 

4.👉 Customize Your Player

You can customize your player to add your logo, and other player settings and options. To do so, go to the “Player” section in the CMS. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Click on “Player”, and go to “Player Settings”.
  • In the “Experience” tab, you will get the option to “Show logo on the player”.
  • You can upload the logo from your computer. To do so, click on “Upload Icon”, upload the logo, and click on “Save”. 
  • You can even select the logo position. You will get multiple options like Bottom Right Corner, Bottom Left Corner, Top Right Corner, Top Left Corner, etc. 
5.👉 Monetize Your Content

You can monetize your video/audio content very easily without built-in monetization options. Muvi One supports multiple monetization models like subscription, pay-per-view, ads, and more! 

You can set up your subscription plans or pay-per-view prices from the “Pricing” section under the “Monetization” menu of CMS. 

Monetization_Muvi_One

But before that, you first need to integrate a Payment Gateway. 

To add a Payment Gateway, follow the steps given below:

  • Go to “Monetization” and click on “Payment Gateways” in the CMS.
  • Multiple payment gateway options will appear. Select one of them as per your preference.
  • Add the necessary details and click on “Save”. 
Go Live!

You are now ready to go live. Go on and promote your platform, so that your viewers can enjoy the amazing content you have created for them. 

How Much Will It Cost?

It will cost you just US $399 per month! Yes, we are not lying. Muvi One offers its standard plan at this price only. 

Apart from the standard plan, we also offer two more plans. Depending on what configurations you want and how much you can invest, choose your favorite monthly plan from Muvi Standard, Muvi Professional, or Muvi Enterprise.

Muvi One Pricing

Apart from the above, if you are looking for premium consulting services that involve project management and pro-active monitoring, we have a special deal for you – Muvi Ultimate package (a curated plan for the privileged customers).

Select any of our subscription plans that you are comfortable with and complete the payment to avail all the features that our comprehensive OTT platform offers.

Categories of OTT Services – Look Before You Launch an OTT Platform

Premium OTT services can be broadly divided into two categories, each catering to a different group of viewers.

Mass-Market Platform Category

Mass-market platforms are designed for the general public or everyday viewers. They offer a variety of movies, TV shows, and other entertainment videos. The increasing popularity of online video is leading to more competition among premium OTT services like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu. In addition, major studio broadcasters such as HBO and Disney are also entering the subscription market to expand their offerings.

Niche Services

In the global market, there is a growing interest in niche OTT services. These platforms provide access to hard-to-find content and focus on specific fan bases and audience groups. Examples of niche OTT services include independent aggregators, sports organizations, copyright owners, and even studio broadcasters with exclusive collections of films and specialized content.

Before starting, we recommend investing in a niche, which is in demand. 

For your information, Entertainment, eLearning, eSports, Yoga – Fitness, and Lifestyle are the most popular streaming niches today. Building a dedicated streaming service on these niches can easily find you a good volume of paying subscribers.

Many niche-based streaming platforms are doing really well nowadays. Examples include Cameo, Magicstream, OnlyFans, and more!

Crucial Technologies Behind Success of an OTT Platform 

The success of an OTT platform hinges upon a delicate interplay of cutting-edge technologies. Behind the scenes, a harmonious symphony of tech elements orchestrates seamless streaming experiences that keep viewers coming back for more. 

If you’re ready to create a thriving OTT platform, it’s crucial to understand the key technologies that play a pivotal role in its success. Let’s dive into the crucial components that can make or break your streaming empire:

Video Hosting

A robust hosting infrastructure forms the foundation of your OTT platform. Choosing a reliable hosting provider ensures your content is stored securely and accessible to viewers around the clock. Scalability, high uptime, and global reach are essential factors to consider, as they directly impact the user experience and the platform’s overall performance.

Multiple CDNs

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) are the workhorses behind efficient content distribution. By leveraging multiple CDNs strategically placed across various regions, you can optimize content delivery speed, reduce buffering, and handle high traffic volumes. A well-designed CDN strategy guarantees a smooth and uninterrupted streaming experience for your audience, regardless of their geographic location.

Streaming Protocol

Selecting the right streaming protocol is paramount for delivering content seamlessly across diverse devices and networks. Popular protocols like HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH), and Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) adapt video quality dynamically, ensuring smooth playback and minimizing buffering issues across different bandwidths and devices.

Transcoder

To accommodate a wide range of devices and network conditions, a powerful video transcoding system is indispensable. A reliable transcoder can convert video files into multiple formats, bitrates, and resolutions on-the-fly, optimizing the viewing experience for viewers accessing your platform through various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and desktops.

Cross-Platform Support

In today’s multi-device landscape, offering seamless cross-platform support is paramount. Your OTT platform must be accessible across a variety of operating systems, including iOS, Android, Windows, and popular web browsers. Embracing responsive design and developing native apps for major platforms enhances user engagement and extends your reach to a broader audience.

How to Monetize Your OTT Content and Earn Money?

Once you’ve sorted out the technical aspects, it’s time to focus on generating revenue for your OTT platform. To make your OTT business profitable, you’ll need to monetize your content effectively. There are various options available for monetization, including:

  • Subscriptions (SVOD): Offer paid subscriptions to viewers who can access your content on a recurring basis, providing them with a continuous streaming experience.
  • Transactional (TVOD) / Pay Per View (PPV): Allow users to pay for individual content items or specific events they wish to watch, charging them on a per-view or per-event basis.
  • Video Advertising (AVOD): Integrate ads into your platform, where advertisers pay to display commercials or promotional content to your viewers.
  • Crowdfunding & Donation: Enable viewers to support your content by accepting crowdfunding or donation contributions, fostering a sense of community and engagement.
  • PPV Bundles: Create bundles of content or events that users can purchase for a fixed price, offering a value proposition that encourages higher spending.
  • Coupon Codes: Provide special codes that offer discounts or exclusive access to certain content, attracting and rewarding loyal viewers.
  • Gift cards & Vouchers: Allow users to purchase gift cards or vouchers that can be redeemed for access to premium content or special features.
  • Credits: Implement a credit system where users can purchase credits and use them to unlock specific content or features within your platform.

Whichever monetization model you choose, it’s important to ensure that your platform is flexible enough to support it. For instance, if you opt for video ad-supported (AVOD) monetization, your platform should have the capability to integrate with multiple ad servers and networks.

To maximize your business potential and cater to diverse audiences and preferences, it’s wise to select a solution that can accommodate multiple monetization models. This will ensure the agility of your business as it expands globally, tapping into different demographics and user bases. 

With the right monetization strategy in place, your OTT platform can thrive financially while delivering engaging content to your viewers.

Tips to Secure Your Platform

In the digital realm, ensuring the security of your content, user data, and platform integrity is paramount. A robust security framework helps build trust among your users and safeguards against unauthorized access or piracy. Here are some essential security features to look for in an OTT platform.

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Implement DRM technologies to protect your valuable content from unauthorized copying, distribution, or piracy. DRM encryption ensures that only authorized viewers can access and consume your premium content.

Secure Player

Choose an OTT platform that offers a secure video player, which incorporates robust video playback protection mechanisms. This prevents content theft, illegal downloads, and screen capturing, providing an additional layer of security.

User Authentication

Implement secure user authentication methods, such as password-protected accounts, two-factor authentication (2FA), or social media login integration. This ensures that only authorized users can access your platform and its content.

Secure Payment Processing

If you offer subscription-based or transactional monetization models, it’s crucial to prioritize secure payment processing. Utilize industry-standard encryption and compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to protect your users’ financial information.

Watermarking

Apply dynamic watermarking to your content to track and trace any unauthorized distribution. Watermarks can be customized with user-specific information, serving as a deterrent against content piracy.

How to Customize Your OTT Platform?

To stand out in the highly competitive OTT market, offering customization options is a game-changer. Empowering your users to personalize their streaming experience enhances engagement and builds loyalty. Here are some customization features to consider:

User Profiles

Allow users to create personalized profiles with their preferences, viewing history, and recommendations tailored to their tastes. This enables a personalized user experience and encourages longer engagement.

Content Curation

Implement intelligent algorithms that analyze user behavior and provide personalized content recommendations. By understanding users’ preferences, you can present them with relevant content, enhancing their satisfaction and increasing retention. 

Interface Branding

Customize the look and feel of your OTT platform to align with your brand identity. This includes color schemes, logos, fonts, and overall visual aesthetics. Consistent branding creates a cohesive user experience and reinforces brand recognition.

Language and Subtitles

Provide multilingual support and subtitles to cater to diverse audiences. This ensures inclusivity and expands your potential user base across different regions. 

Viewing Options

Offer flexible viewing options, such as adjustable video quality, playback speed, or the ability to resume watching from where users left off. This grants users more control over their viewing experience and improves user satisfaction.

By prioritizing security and customization features in your OTT platform, you can establish trust, protect your content, and provide a personalized and immersive experience for your users. These features contribute to the long-term success of your OTT business and differentiate you in a competitive landscape.

CTA VD Customization

Launch and Promote Your OTT Platform

Promoting your OTT (Over-the-Top) platform is crucial to attract viewers, increase user engagement, and drive subscriptions or revenue. Here are some effective strategies to promote your OTT platform:

Content Marketing

Develop a content marketing strategy to create engaging and informative content related to your platform’s offerings. This can include blog posts, articles, videos, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes content. Optimize the content for search engines to increase visibility and attract organic traffic to your platform.

Social Media Marketing

Leverage social media platforms to promote your OTT platform. Create dedicated profiles/pages for your platform and regularly share updates, sneak peeks, trailers, and exclusive content. Engage with your audience, respond to comments, and utilize relevant hashtags and influencers to expand your reach.

Email Marketing

Build an email list of interested viewers and send regular newsletters or updates about new releases, exclusive content, and special offers. Personalize your emails to cater to the preferences and interests of your subscribers.

Influencer Marketing

Collaborate with influencers or industry experts who have a relevant audience and reach. They can create content, reviews, or endorsements for your OTT platform, helping to increase brand awareness and drive viewership.

Cross-Promotion

Partner with other content creators or complementary platforms to cross-promote each other’s content. This can involve guest appearances, joint marketing campaigns, or sharing content on each other’s platforms to expand your reach and attract new viewers.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Optimize your website and content for search engines to improve visibility in search results. Conduct keyword research, optimize meta tags, ensure fast page loading speeds, and build quality backlinks to improve your platform’s ranking and organic traffic.

Paid Advertising

Invest in paid advertising to reach a wider audience. Consider platforms like Google Ads, social media advertising, or programmatic advertising to target specific demographics, interests, or geographic locations. Optimize your ad campaigns based on performance data to maximize results.

Partnerships and Sponsorships

Collaborate with other brands, media outlets, or influencers to sponsor events, create co-branded content, or participate in industry conferences or trade shows. These partnerships can help increase brand exposure and attract new viewers.

Benefits of Creating Your Own OTT Platform

Creating your own OTT (Over-the-Top) platform can offer numerous benefits for content creators, media companies, and businesses. Here are some key benefits of launching your own OTT platform.

Direct Control

By launching your own OTT platform, you have full control over your content, branding, user experience, and monetization strategies. You can tailor the platform to your specific needs and goals, without relying on third-party platforms or intermediaries.

Global Reach

An OTT platform allows you to reach a global audience. With internet connectivity being widespread, you can distribute your content to viewers around the world, expanding your reach and potential customer base.

Monetization Opportunities

OTT platforms offer various monetization models, such as subscriptions, pay-per-view, advertising, and sponsorships. You can generate revenue through multiple channels and diversify your income streams.

Data Insights

Launching your own OTT platform gives you access to valuable viewer data and analytics. You can gain insights into user behavior, preferences, and engagement metrics, enabling you to make data-driven decisions for content curation, marketing strategies, and platform enhancements. 

Brand Building

An OTT platform serves as a platform for showcasing your content and building your brand identity. You can establish a unique presence in the market, build a loyal audience, and create a brand image that resonates with your target demographic.

Flexibility and Customization

With your own OTT platform, you have the flexibility to customize the user interface, design, and features according to your brand and audience preferences. You can adapt and evolve the platform based on user feedback and market trends.

Content Control

As the owner of the OTT platform, you have control over the content that is published and distributed. This allows you to curate and showcase your content library according to your audience’s interests and preferences.

Viewer Engagement and Interaction

OTT platforms provide opportunities for enhanced viewer engagement and interaction. You can incorporate features like comments, ratings, reviews, recommendations, and social sharing to encourage user participation and foster a sense of community around your content.

Flexibility in Content Formats

OTT platforms support a wide range of content formats, including live streaming, on-demand videos, podcasts, and more. You can leverage different content formats to cater to diverse audience preferences and expand your content offerings. 

To Sum Up

We hope you have now gotten all your answers on how to start an OTT platform. It will take a few minutes to execute all the steps, maybe less than an hour and your dream of launching a streaming website will come true.

Once your platform is all set, prepare a marketing strategy and focus all your efforts on branding & promotions. Keep track of your month-by-month revenue as well as subscriber’s stats, and determine the success of your streaming business accordingly. You can also consult with our content monetization expert to boost your OTT platform’s ROI.

So why wait? Click here to sign up with Muvi One and start building your OTT platform right now. 

Also, though you are clear about how to launch an OTT platform seamlessly, you must know the key components that are essential to make a successful streaming service.

Here’s an infographic, Key components to launch your OTT platform – showcasing all the components in detail to start the OTT platform. Download it now.

Launch Smart TV App

FAQs

Launching an OTT (Over-the-Top) platform involves several technical requirements to ensure a successful deployment. Here are some key technical considerations:

  • Content Management System (CMS)
  • Video Encoding and Transcoding
  • Content Delivery Network (CDN)
  • Video Player
  • DRM (Digital Rights Management)
  • User Authentication and Authorization
  • Payment Gateway Integration
  • Analytics and Reporting
  • Scalability and Performance
  • Monetization Options
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
  • Support for Live Streaming
  • Accessibility Features

  • Geo-blocking
  • Mobile and TV Apps
  • Cloud Hosting
  • Built-in CDN
  • Content Partner Portal
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Multilingual
  • Multiple Monetization
  • Skippable & Non-Skippable Ads
  • Video Content Management System (CMS)
  • DVR-enabled Livestream
  • Online Video Player
  • Encoding and Transcoding
  • Customize Encoding Profiles
  • Security
  • Analytics & Reports

Yes, it is possible to launch an OTT (Over-the-Top) platform worldwide. With the global reach of the internet and the increasing popularity of streaming services, many OTT platforms aim to cater to an international audience.

Yes, it is possible to monetize your OTT (Over-the-Top) platform after launching. In fact, monetization is a common objective for many OTT platforms. 

Ensuring the security of your OTT (Over-the-Top) platform is crucial to protect your content, user data, and maintain the trust of your audience. Here are some key measures to consider for securing your OTT platform:

  • Content Protection and DRM
  • Secure Video Playback
  • Secure Data Transmission
  • Payment Security
  • Secure Infrastructure and Hosting
  • Regular Updates and Patches
  • User Data Protection and Privacy
  • Secure API Integrations
  • Regular Security Audits and Testing

Written by: Debarpita Banerjee

Debarpita is a Content Writer with Muvi. With around 2 years of experience in content creation, she has worked across industries like SaaS, EdTech, eLearning, AR-VR, and Metaverse. She believes in delivering content that can be of some value to the readers. In her free time, she likes to try her hand at website and app development.

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