As an OTT content creator, you put in a lot of effort and time to create unique and original videos for your audience. And, if your videos are subject to online video piracy, you lose a lot of revenue and customers. Why would your audience pay to view your content when it is available for free?
According to sources, every year pirated videos get over 230 billion views which results in great losses. Customers’ desire to watch movies or TV shows immediately after release or without paying a premium is the main reason for such piracy incidents.
How video piracy happens:
The key to finding solutions on how to avoid video piracy is finding the root cause of leaks. Here are some ways your OTT content is subject to digital piracy and security issues:
1. Credentials Sharing
This is the most common way piracy happens with or without the customers being aware they’re a part of piracy. Some ways for credential sharing are:
– Sharing user ID and password with friends and family
– Token theft by pirates
– Availing endless trials by using multiple email addresses and credit cards
– Hack into servers to get hold of credentials
2. Illegal streaming and video downloads
Over 24% of US consumers watch pirated movies while it’s still in the theatres. This is made easy by illegal streaming services on the internet. There are also many tools available that use URLs to download video content which makes it difficult for content creators.
3. Live streaming piracy
Another way for pirates to steal video content is a screen capture of live videos of live screen sharing. Many sports fans opt for watching pirated content to avoid paying subscriptions according to a study by Sportspromedia.
How does piracy affect OTT companies?
1. Loss of revenue
OTT content creators lose revenue as their content is made freely available on the internet. Which deters subscription to such content? Also, by credential sharing, companies lose out on value subscribers.
2. Funding for new production reduces
Content creators lose interest in investing in new videos due to a lack of response and revenue. They either entirely stop production or choose to invest in another avenue to get better revenue.
3. High-risk potential
By hacking, the pirates not just create losses for content owners but also customers who lose their personal data. Pirates are known to leak credentials and sensitive information like email addresses, payment details, and others increasing security risks.
4. Damaged reputation
OTT companies subject to piracy usually lose loyal followers. This can be because their content is available for free on the internet or due to a leak in customer data. Loss of trust can deeply impact the number of subscribers to an OTT platform.
Top 6 Solutions to OTT Video Piracy:
There are many ways to prevent video piracy and secure your OTT platform. Let’s get into the details:
1. Digital Rights Management
One of the top OTT piracy protection solutions is to integrate DRM technology into your OTT platform. This is encryption software that avoids duplication of content without authorized consent. So, how to implement DRM on your platform? You can either choose a plugin or choose an OTT platform provider that offers DRM technology with their services.
2. Avoid credential sharing
As a solution to the piracy problem, you can implement these measures to block credential sharing:
– Restrict the number of screens for the same user account
– Use social logins like Facebook, Google, etc.
– Create a unique ID for every login
3. Video encryption
Video encryption disables unauthorized access to video content by using encryption keys. Although this isn’t a strong piracy prevention method, when you pair it with DRM, this enhances your OTT security. The popular video encryption technologies in the market are:
– AES 128 Encryption
– HLS Encryption
4. Fingerprinting
Fingerprinting is a technology where content creators insert digital fingerprint which is unique to each video. This is one way of securing OTT content that allows websites to check if there are any copyright infringements to the uploaded content. These are not visible and cannot be tampered with.
5. Block illegal websites
Working along with ISPs (Internet Service Providers), content creators can encourage the blocking of websites that upload and stream pirated videos. This benefits all content creators and is widely encouraged across the OTT industry.
6. Choose the right OTT solutions provider
When you’re planning on building your own OTT platform, approach the right provider who offers enhanced security measures. In fact, asking questions to service providers on their measures on how to avoid OTT piracy and how to secure videos on a website should be part of your discussion before signing up with a company. OTT streaming is susceptible to high piracy risks and choosing the right OTT platform provider to host your video content will benefit your business. A platform provider who offers enhanced security measures is the best way to ensure your business doesn’t lose revenue to hacks and leaks.
