These days, OTT services are receiving a lot of Subscription cost love from users.
Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, people spent more time at home, which greatly increased demand for OTT platforms.
OTT platforms offer multiple contents via the internet.
Netflix, Watcha, and TVING are well-known examples.
Compared to cable television, viewers can select content whenever they want.
Multiple reasons explain the rapid growth of OTT services.
First, users can access many genres in one place, giving them more options.
Films, series, and variety programs can be selected by preference.
Another benefit is its lower cost compared to classic TV services.
The convenience of watching anytime and anywhere on smartphones or tablets is another advantage.
However, as subscription fees keep rising, more people feel financial pressure.
Because of this, interest in free streaming services is growing.
Free platforms supported by ads let people watch without cost.
It is appealing to people sensitive to expenses.
FAST platforms are emerging as a new type of free streaming model.
An example is KT’s “Gi Live,” which attracted many users.
FAST is expected to become a new revenue model while the paid TV market stagnates.
The biggest advantage of free streaming is that there is no cost burden.
It allows access to many contents, increasing selection options.
On the downside, ads interrupt viewing experiences.
In addition, the quality can be inferior to premium platforms.
In the future, both OTT and free streaming services will continue to evolve.
Ad-based free models may become even more popular among users.
Being able to watch without cost is highly appealing.
Finally, balancing high-quality OTT content with free service accessibility is important.
Blending both models offers better choices to viewers.
I look forward to seeing how the streaming industry develops in the future.