[#12] OTT from the Beach

Welcome to the 12th edition of "OTT from the Beach" – where we bring you the latest waves in the OTT industry, all with a touch of sunshine from our Gran Canaria base!

Whether you're an OTT enthusiast, a media, sports, or entertainment executive, a tech sales pro in streaming, or simply supporting 2Coders, this newsletter is tailored for you.

As a subscriber, you deserve the best, and we're excited to share the most relevant OTT insights, company highlights, and exclusive content with you every month.

Let's dive in!

Key Highlights

• Ending the year on a high note (literally)!
• Netflix Makes Christmas a Live Game Day
• OTT Trends to Watch in 2025

Look how far we’ve come!

With this 12th edition of OTT from the Beach, we’re wrapping up 2024 and celebrating one year of sharing the latest and greatest in OTT with you. Our goal has always been to make the news both valuable and fun, and we hope we’ve brought a touch of inspiration to your screens. As we gear up for year two, you can expect even better content, packed with quality insights and exciting updates. Here’s to another fantastic year ahead!

Ending the year on a high note (literally)!

We’re rounding off 2024 with a celebration—and what better way than with a song? Yes, our team got creative, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. ?? Watch it here.

Netflix Makes Christmas a Live Game Day

Yesterday marked a groundbreaking moment in streaming as Netflix brought us NFL Christmas Gameday Live. In the first year of their three-year deal, Netflix hosted two live marquee games on Christmas Day: the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans. Packed with star-studded performances by Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, and Pentatonix, along with exclusive trailers and surprises, the event turned Netflix into the ultimate holiday sports destination.

This historic collaboration showcases how streaming platforms are redefining live sports, with Netflix stepping into a space traditionally dominated by broadcast TV. The deal, valued at $150 million this year alone, signals a shift in how we’ll experience holiday sports in the years to come.

While the games brought plenty of action and entertainment, what stood out most was the blend of sports, live performances, and exclusive content, all wrapped in Netflix’s signature on-demand accessibility.

We’ve been following this collaboration closely, and while this monumental event wraps up 2024 with a bang, we’ll be sharing our detailed opinion and analysis in a future post. Stay tuned as we explore what this means for the future of live sports on streaming platforms.

Playa del Médano, Tenerife

Looking for a serene escape to unwind after a productive year? Playa del Médano offers the perfect December getaway. With its golden sands and tranquil vibes, it’s an ideal spot to recharge and start dreaming big for 2025. Picture yourself brainstorming fresh ideas with the sound of waves in the background—does it get better than that?

Sora: OpenAI’s Leap into AI Video Creation

OpenAI has taken a major leap in video technology with the launch of Sora, its much-anticipated text-to-video AI generator. Available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers, Sora offers exciting possibilities for content creation, allowing users to generate 5- to 20-second videos in resolutions up to 1080p, with customizable aspect ratios. However, European creators will have to wait, as Sora is not yet available in the EU, UK, or Switzerland.

But what does this mean for the OTT and streaming industry? While the launch may flood social media with experimental clips like “a robot dancing in the rain” or “a spaceship made of cheese,” the potential for professional applications is what truly stands out. For marketers, Sora could become an essential tool for quickly prototyping ad campaigns. Sports organizations might visualize plays or training scenarios in real-time, and indie filmmakers could use the tool to storyboard scenes or explore groundbreaking visual styles.

Of course, there are limitations. As OpenAI’s technical staff member Will Peebles noted, Sora isn’t perfect—it struggles with physics and longer-duration complexities. But its tools, like the Storyboard feature for frame-by-frame editing, Blend for mixing video elements, and Re-mix for altering existing content, suggest a focus on enabling professional creators alongside casual users.

Will Sora become the next big thing or just a fleeting novelty? Time will tell. But one thing is certain: the future of video creation is evolving, and AI is leading the charge.

OTT Trends to Watch in 2025

As this edition wraps up the year, we couldn’t leave out one of the most important topics: what’s next for OTT? From live sports integration to AI-driven personalization, the industry is set for a transformative year.

We’ve covered these key trends and how our Velvet Media platform and Innovation Lab are ready to help providers stay ahead. If you missed the article, you can check it out here.

Top 3 streamed genres during the holidays

Did you know that during the holiday season, sports content viewership sees a significant spike? December is home to some of the most-watched events globally, from iconic football matches to winter sports tournaments. And while sports dominate, the top 3 streamed genres during the holidays remain a festive mix of sports, family movies, and feel-good TV series. Whether it’s catching the latest highlights or diving into the nostalgia of holiday classics, streaming is truly the heart of year-end entertainment.

Additional literature for this month ;)

Podcast: TED Tech

Article: Roundup: Streaming Industry Predictions for 2025

LinkedIn: Jeffrey Gilbert 's post

We’re signing off this edition with warm holiday wishes and a toast (virtually, of course!) to all the exciting possibilities that await in the new year. ??

May your holiday season be full of joy, your days sprinkled with inspiration, and your year ahead packed with bold ideas and incredible achievements. Whether you’re innovating, exploring, or simply unwinding, we’re glad to have you as part of our journey.

Thank you for riding the wave with us this year—we hope OTT from the Beach has brought you fresh ideas, a bit of inspiration, and maybe even a beach to dream about for the holidays along the way. ??