Definition
Over-the-top (OTT) media are streaming services offered directly to viewers over the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast and satellite television platforms that traditionally act as a controller or distributor of such content.
The term is currently most synonymous with subscription-based video on demand services that offer access to film and television content. This can include both linear television streams as well as time-shifted programs and made-for-stream content. Typically this is streamed over the public Internet, rather than a closed, private network with proprietary equipment such as set-top boxes.
Over-the-top media can be accessed by a variety of devices including personal computers, mobile devices (such as smartphones and tablets), digital media players (including video game consoles), and televisions with integrated smart TV capabilities or set-top boxes/dongles.
References
Adapted from Over-the-top media services; Wikipedia, Oct. 22, 2019.