Build vs. Buy report

Survey in collaboration with Caretta Research

Build or Buy in Video Streaming

State of technology procurement in OTT.

"The main issue with building new systems is that you invest maybe six or nine months, hire new people, AB test the outcomes, and you end up with something that is no better than if you had just gone to a supplier."

— A leading US OTT platform
Bubble arrow Build avatar

"We did everything in-house, we hired hundreds of developers for several years to make exactly what we wanted. Now that we really know what we need, we start looking at vendors again."

— A large European pay-TV platform
Bubble arrow Buy avatar

Learn How to Build Your Streaming Service

Build or Buy report

Here are some of the latest industry insights on OTT, VOD, and streaming technology procurement.

Hybrid icon

Over 79% of OTT backends rely on external tech. This was associated with a fairly even split between off-the-shelf tech purchases and components customized in-house or with vendors.

Outsource icon

50% of platforms plan to upgrade one or more of their components in the next two years. The most popular strategy to source VOD software is a hybrid approach.

All in-house icon

Controlling the development roadmap was the main reason that drove OTT video platforms towards building components in-house.

Customize icon

Almost 80% of OTT, VOD, and streaming services customized their products before deployment (50% did it in-house, 50% with vendors).

Integration icon

The top technical factor influencing Build or Buy decisions in OTT is customizability, with 63% of OTTs preferring to buy flexible tech.

Buy icon

There is no single best way to source an OTT tech stack. The split between developing components in-house, buying external tech, and acquiring pay-as-you-go services is pretty even.

Build vs. Buy report
Get your free copy

Please fill all your details to get the full version of the report. You'll get it right away in your email.

.
On-demand Webinar

Build Or Buy

Common Drivers and Strategies in OTT Tech Sourcing