I was wondering why they're gonna call the online offerings 'Over-The-Top'?
And I was also wondering how long the big ISP's are gonna let Charlie deliver his programming over their networks with for free. I'm guessing not very long.
"Over The Top" or "OTT" is an industry term referring to content services such as Netflix or just about any of the "channels" on a Roku such as CNET, TwitTV, and all of them often acceable via the internet using a connected device like a Roku, WD Live, PS3 or PS4, or a Smart TV, etc. beyond the traditional MVPD (Multi-channel Video Program Distributor, which includes all cable and DBS sat services, while MSO refers to cable companies only) model. Lots more acronyms out there. Those are just a few.
As far as letting ANYONE stream for free, there is more to this than the ISP, who could wake the sleeping giant name Congress if they really try to start charging for access, and COMCAST may have to agree to never do this if they want to merge with TWC, right now such talk is focused exclusively on Netflix because of the incredible traffic they have. No one else even comes close and have nor worries just yet. There is more involved than just the ISP, the backbone providers may want to charge, NOT necessarily the ISP's. Then there is the argument that since it is Netflix creating all this traffic and its increased cost or problems for the system, some say it should be Netflix to pay for improvements, but they that does bring up the notion of destroying "Net Neutrality."
It depends upon who is going to pay to accommodate all this new traffic, even if the only point of congestion is the edge routers, which seem to be an ISP cost, but could end up being a backbone provider cost if it comes to that.
We will see increased internet access rates either way, unfortunately, because they always pass the cost to the consumer, although edge routers and connecting them are chump change to all the companies involved. And yes, it will take a few years, but we will see OTT services having to greatly raise their rates to pay for the content. Netflix has already lost Viacom content, especially upsetting to parents and their kids, while trying to replace it with lame kids stuff.
