How to Choose the Best OTT Service Providers for Your Business
04/04/2025
If you’re considering launching an OTT platform, choosing the right service provider is essential to your success. Netflix remains the leader in the African SVOD market, with 6.9 million subscribers expected by 2029, while Showmax is projected to have 3.7 million paying users.
But picking the best OTT platform for businesses is not as easy as it sounds. With so many options out there, it’s easy to get lost in the details. Let’s break it down for you and see how to make the right choice.
OTT Service Providers: The Basics You Need to Know
OTT service providers let businesses stream content directly to their audience over the internet. This is where you get to run your video, live streams, and even manage and host your content.
The right provider can make all the difference in how smoothly everything runs, and how many people can access and enjoy your content.
OTT Service Providers for Live Streaming
Live streaming is huge. More people are choosing to watch live events, news, and sports online, and if you're in the business of delivering these experiences, the right OTT provider for live streaming will keep your viewers happy.
When you choose an OTT provider for live streaming, you need to look at these things:
Reliability: Can the service handle big events with thousands of viewers without crashing? You need to be sure.
Real-time Monitoring: The best OTT service providers allow you to keep track of your stream’s quality, which helps you fix problems quickly.
Device Compatibility: Your viewers will use different devices, from mobile phones to smart TVs. Pick a provider that works well on all of them.
White-label OTT Solutions: What They Offer
For businesses that want to show their brand in every part of the service, white-label OTT solutions are the way to go. These solutions allow you to use a ready-made platform but customise it to look and feel like your own. With white-label OTT solutions, you can:
Brand Everything: Add your logo and your colours to make it stand out.
Tailored User Experience: You control how the platform looks to your audience.
Better Recognition: Your brand becomes a part of the streaming experience, helping your audience connect with you.
If you want your audience to see _you_ and not the provider’s branding, these options are a must.
Key Features of OTT Service Providers
Not all OTT service providers for live streaming are made equal. To get the best experience for you and your users, focus on these key features of OTT service providers:
Solid Infrastructure: Your OTT provider must be able to handle high traffic. This is especially true in Africa, where internet speeds can vary. Pick a provider with reliable servers that keep your streams going, no matter the demand.
Scalability: As your audience grows, your platform should grow too. You need a provider that can scale easily to handle more viewers and content.
Monetisation Options: Many providers support different ways to make money, like SVOD (subscription), AVOD (ads), and TVOD (transactional). Choose one that fits your business model.
For example, Disney+ plans to launch only in South Africa by 2029, with around 905,000 subscriptions. This shows the importance of targeting your service right.
Secure Video Hosting for OTT Platforms
Security should be a top priority when picking your OTT service provider. Protecting your content from piracy and ensuring your users’ data is safe is non-negotiable.
To keep things secure, make sure the service offers secure video hosting for OTT platforms, robust encryption, multi-DRM support, and advanced access controls:
Digital Rights Management (DRM): This keeps your video content safe from unauthorised downloads or sharing.
Strong Login Security: You need a system where users are properly authenticated before accessing content.
Compliance with Laws: In Africa, regulations like POPIA in South Africa demand proper protection of personal data. Your provider must meet these requirements.
Providers like Muvi One and Kaltura are known for their top-notch security features.
Localisation: The African Factor
Africa is diverse. So is its internet usage. Your audience is not the same across all regions. That’s why you need a provider who understands the local market and can offer:
Local Content: Your content should be relevant to African viewers. It’s vital to offer shows or movies that resonate with the cultural background of your audience.
Subtitles and Dubbing: Choose a provider that offers localisation features like subtitles in different languages or dubbing for non-English-speaking areas.
Localisation tools are necessary to keep your African audience engaged and connected to your platform.
OTT Providers’ Reputation and Support
The reputation of the best OTT platform for businesses is just as important as the features it offers. You want a company with:
Proven Experience: Look for providers with a history of success in African markets. That way, you can trust their services to meet local needs.
Reliable Support: You’ll need help at some point. Ensure the provider offers 24/7 support, especially if you plan to offer live events.
Free Trial: Before committing, make sure you get a trial period to test out the service. This way, you won’t be locked into a contract if it doesn’t meet your needs.
Laws You Should Know
Legal requirements matter. Make sure your OTT service provider follows local laws, including:
POPIA (South Africa): This law protects your viewers' data. Your provider must comply with these privacy regulations.
Nigerian NBC Regulations: This requires careful control over content, especially around sensitive topics.
Kenya’s Communications Authority Regulations: You need to get the necessary licenses for broadcasting online content.
Always check that the provider complies with these laws to avoid issues down the line.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right OTT service providers is more than just picking a name from a list. You need to consider features like security, scalability, localisation, and support. Plus, compliance with local laws should never be overlooked.
Take your time and choose wisely to give your audience the best streaming experience possible. Don’t forget to share this guide with friends and family so they can also make informed choices when picking the best OTT service platform for businesses.