What is Video on Demand (VOD) – Explore Top VOD Services

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David

Thursday, 30 January 2025

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Video-on-demand service has become increasingly popular with growing access to high-speed internet. With VOD services, the concept of entertainment has drastically changed. Earlier, TV service was the only entertainment channel for users who had to wait all day for their favorite TV programs to air once or twice a day at set timings. Video on demand has opened up the scope to choose what and when you consume video content.

Explore Top VOD Services

What is Video on Demand (VOD)?

Video on demand is a type of content available to watch anytime. VOD content can be paused, resumed, and re-watched as often as possible. There are several types of video-on-demand options including:

1. Streaming services/OTT services:
(Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, etc.)

Video-on-demand streaming services work on a monthly subscription model where you pay once and get access to the streaming platform’s content library. This type of streaming requires the internet to access content that is available online. Fiber internet is one of the best internet connection types for seamlessly streaming content on multiple devices simultaneously. You can also access this streaming service on more than one device including your TV, phone, laptop, or tablet.

2. Pay per View

Pay-per-view is another video-on-demand option offered by cable TV providers that use their own cable network to offer access to a video or program of your choice. Either you can rent a movie of your choice, TV show, or program, or you can pay once and access it as many times as you want depending on what your provider is offering.

3. Advertising VOD

Technically, this type of VOD service is free of cost, but you have to view ads in between the shows/movies. Providers of this service earn mainly by showing ads to viewers. YouTube is one of the most popular examples of VOD advertising.

Top Cable TV providers offering VOD

Top Video on Demand (VOD) Streaming Services

Here’s a list of our top video-on-demand providers:

Netflix

Netflix is one of the biggest names when it comes to streaming platforms. With movies and TV series from all around the world, this streaming giant earns millions of monthly subscribers. With time, Netflix has also started producing its content. You'll get everything from evergreen rom-coms to highly anticipated new productions.

Among other trends – Netflix introduced the term ‘binge-watching’ and completely transformed viewer behavior in the last decade!

Disney Plus

Want something for the entire family? Disney is always the first choice. With dedicated content for children and a Marvel library for action lovers, Disney Plus is a top pick. If you’re a Marvel fan, here’s a great surprise; Disney Plus features Marvel special series like Daredevil, The Punisher, and more exclusively available for Disney Plus viewers.

Disney Plus uses two VOD models for customers. You can buy a cheaper account that will feature ads or an ad-free version for a higher price.

Moreover, you can also opt for a Disney bundle that comes with other streaming options like MAX, Hulu, and ESPN Plus.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is Amazon’s streaming service that offers a monthly subscription (with and without ads) and has a variety of movies and TV shows including Amazon originals exclusively available on their streaming service. Unlike Netflix or Disney Plus, Amazon’s interface may be a little confusing for some users as some content is not available to watch with your monthly subscription. You may have the option to rent or buy select movies and TV series for an added fee. Not ideal, but it is sometimes the only option to view that content.

Top VOD Providers for Sports Lovers

VOD has not just poked entertainment lovers. Sports enthusiasts have also dived into the more convenient viewing pattern. Remember the times when you missed the beginning of a much-anticipated football match because you were getting late for work? That – thanks to technology, has changed!

Check out these top VOD providers if you’re a sports lover:

Peacock

Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming platform that features news programs, TV shows, movies, and live sports programs. Catch all your favorite soccer games, WWE championships, and more with a monthly subscription. There are two plans, an ad-supported cheaper plan, or a premium ad-free one. And as exciting as it gets, you also get access to NBC original shows that stream exclusively on the platform. Sounds like a deal!

ESPN Plus

ESPN is a household name when it comes to sports shows and for all the right reasons. From exciting hockey games to football leagues, golf shows, NBL, or NFL games, there’s something for every sports lover. ESPN offers a monthly subscription and a pay-per-view model for its customers so you don’t have to pay for shows you don’t watch. The best part is that you can bundle for ESPN Plus subscription with Disney Plus and have all your family’s entertainment sorted!

Impact of VOD Services on Traditional Cable TV Networks

Cutting the cord has been one of the most popular trends in the last decade with more TV viewers turning to VOD platforms for entertainment. Video-on-demand content is more flexible, easy to access and control, and offers a greater variety of content than traditional cable TV.

This inclination toward video streaming platforms has declined the number of subscriptions to cable TV providers, dropping the overall ad-based revenue that networks relied heavily on.

Both advertisement giants and production houses have shifted their focus from cable TV to streaming platforms that attract millions of new customers every year.

This in effect has increased the competition between streaming platforms too, as viewers now control more than ever before.

Traditional Cable TV Networks

One of the major players in bringing about this shift from traditional cable TV to VOD services has been, yeah you guessed it right – faster internet.

Tips to Get the Best Out of Your VOD Service

Decided to cut the cord and shift to a VOD service? Make sure to follow a few useful tips:

1. Pick a Service with an Easy Interface

Using a video-on-demand service means you’ll have a wide variety of content available to watch. The more options you have the more difficult it is to pick something. Some providers have a highly organized interface with movies and TV series divided among categories and genres. This makes it easy to find something to watch. Moreover, with access to your VOD platform on your phone, make sure their app is easy to use and reliable.

It is best to research and get to know what reviews current users are leaving on platforms like Reddit, Quora, and X to help you make a more informed decision.

2. Choose a Straightforward Subscription Model

As discussed above, VOD platforms charge users a monthly subscription, pay-per-view, rent-out options, ad-supported content, or a combination of these. Make sure you know what your provider’s monetization model is and what content options you have with each subscription model. You don’t want to be surprised by an added fee for a movie you want to watch, right?

3. Bundle Multiple Services

Providers like Disney Plus offer streaming bundles that combine two or more services with different types of content for large families. This is a great way to accommodate all your family member’s viewing preferences and sort your bill in one place rather than getting separate services for multiple users.

4. Get a High-Speed Internet That Supports Streaming

Your streaming service’s performance greatly depends on the quality of your internet service. If your internet connection delivers consistent upload and download speeds, you will be able to stream more smoothly without lags or buffering pauses. An ideal internet speed for smooth streaming is around 25 to 50 Mbps. With this speed, you can enjoy streaming your favorite content in 4K video for the best experience.

Get Binge-watching!

Video-on-demand providers have completely redefined modern entertainment. From watching silly YouTube videos to thriller movies or live sports, control what you watch, how you watch, and when you watch content.

Decided to buy one of these VOD services? Pick up some freshly popped corn and get binge-watching!