OTT Aggregators – The Ultimate Guide for 2025

By Jon Whitehead | Posted on January 27, 2025January 28, 2025 by Jon Whitehead | 16 min Read

When it comes to consuming media and entertainment, the people have spoken: cable television is out, and over-the-top content is in. The number of people who used OTT at the beginning of 2025 was an astounding 3.92 billion, and future projections only show this number growing. Audiences want to stream their content and subscribe to streaming platforms en masse.

However, it’s impossible to find all your favorites on one platform, so on average, US viewers have at least four subscriptions to different streaming services. This sort of complicates the main reason people prefer using OTT platforms – simplicity. Now, you have to juggle several monthly subscriptions, remembering which platform hosts your shows, and constantly switching from one platform to another to find new things to watch.

Luckily, there is a way to fix that. The newest OTT trend that’s sweeping the streaming and broadcasting space – OTT aggregators. An OTT content aggregator collects the content on multiple OTT streaming platforms and presents it neatly in one place. With the help of aggregators, you can easily explore and discover new content without jumping from service to service.

Let’s learn more about OTT aggregators and how they are streamlining the consumption and delivery of online content.

Table of Contents

OTT Content Aggregators: What Are They
The Benefits Of Using OTT Content Aggregators
Why OTT Aggregators Are Gaining Traction
How OTT Aggregators Impact Live Streaming And Broadcasting
Popular OTT Content Aggregators
Dacast: Supporting OTT Aggregators with a Comprehensive Platform
FAQ
Conclusion

OTT Content Aggregators: What Are They

An aggregator is something that collects other things and groups them together. In that sense, an OTT content aggregator is a service that collects media from multiple OTT providers. Unlike other streaming services, which focus on content from a single provider, OTT aggregators bring you diverse content from several sources.

Users can browse and stream content from different platforms using the aggregator without switching between individual services. Aggregators provide audiences with a single point of access to a variety of content, simplifying the viewing experience. While regular OTT platforms usually deliver exclusive content, OTT aggregators are intermediaries distributing content from multiple OTT solution providers.

If you’re unsure how aggregators are different from a regular OTT platform, here is a quick comparison.

Feature	OTT Content Aggregator	OTT Platform
Content Variety	It offers access to a wide range of content from various sources.	It offers exclusive content from a single provider.
Subscription Model	Often offers bundled services or single subscriptions for multiple providers.	Typically subscription-based for a single provider’s content.
Content Discovery	It focuses on helping users discover content from different providers and increasing variety.	Discovery is limited to content from the platform’s library.
Global Reach	It offers global access to content from international sources in one platform.	Often limited to regional content or exclusive rights to specific regions.
Flexibility	Users can access content from multiple services without needing separate subscriptions or apps.	Users are limited to the content available from the specific OTT service.

How Do OTT Aggregators Work

Wondering how exactly an OTT content aggregator collects all of this media and if that’s legal? Most aggregators partner with streamers, broadcasters, and streaming platforms and license their content for distribution. Since they have been licensed to redistribute the content by the creators and streaming platforms, it means they aren’t doing anything illegal.

They then organize the content within its central hub, making it easy for users to navigate and discover new favorites.

Instead of paying for several subscriptions and remembering multiple passwords, you can access all your shows from one platform. It doesn’t matter which platform the content was originally on. The aggregator only has one user interface, making browsing easy.

You can search by show title or browse different categories and genres. Most aggregators even provide personalized recommendations based on your viewing history.

The Benefits Of Using OTT Content Aggregators

ott management — **An OTT aggregator assists with storage and organization and makes it possible to share videos on different platforms, thanks to encoding and transcoding processes.**

With so many streaming services and platforms available, why are viewers suddenly turning to aggregators for their entertainment? The answer is obvious: to get a better and more streamlined experience. While most viewers enjoy the flexibility of streaming platforms, they also appreciate the simplicity of only going to one place for all their entertainment. They enjoy OTT aggregators because they provide:

Convenience: When using an aggregator, you get a centralized platform that contains the media from several streaming services. There’s no longer a reason to juggle between different apps or subscriptions. When you have everything in one place, it’s easier to keep track of what you’re watching and what you’re paying for.
Cost Savings: By using an OTT content aggregator, you can consolidate all other streaming service subscriptions into one. Instead of paying for multiple platforms, viewers gain access to the same amount of content through just one subscription. Many OTT aggregators also offer bundled services so users can enjoy content from multiple providers for a lower overall cost than individual subscriptions.
Personalization: Instead of entering your entertainment preferences over and over again, you do it just once. The algorithm will then find content across several OTT platforms that match your tastes and present it in one place.

Why OTT Aggregators Are Gaining Popularity

It’s easy to see why viewers are considering OTT aggregators. But what’s in it for OTT platforms and other streaming and broadcasting services?

First, it’s extra revenue. With so many options out there, joining forces with an aggregator guarantees that your content repertoire will reach even bigger audiences and bring in extra revenue. Business is where the audience is, so it’s always advisable to follow consumer trends, and right now, they are pointing to an interest in content aggregators.

Trends In Consumer Behavior

The time of linear broadcasting and even IPTV is slowly coming to an end, with interest and viewership slowly declining. Audiences clearly prefer on-demand streaming as they get greater control over when and how they consume content.

So far, multi-platform consumption has been the norm, but we’re seeing another shift in preferences. Users already access their content from several devices, like smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, and tablets, so they want to make things simpler. Instead of logging into a different service each time they want to watch a different show, audiences want a one-stop-shop solution.

OTT aggregators are the next phase of this change because they bring content from multiple providers together. Users can watch their favorite content just by using one service, no matter which popular over-the-top video hosting solution streams it.

Increased Competition Among OTT Providers

There are a great number of different platforms offering exclusive shows and movies, so it’s easy to understand why users feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. OTT aggregators simplify the decision-making process by providing a single platform full of diverse media. Users can browse multiple services and choose the best content without navigating in and out of different apps.

This creates a bit more competition among OTT providers. It pushes them to improve their offerings, as well as pricing models. They usually try to provide better user experiences to stand out in a competitive market. Aggregators act as intermediaries, encouraging platforms to innovate and deliver more diverse content libraries.

More Monetization Opportunities

OTT aggregators offer the same monetization opportunities as regular OTT platforms, turning into another possible revenue stream. They also operate on subscription-based models and provide content on-demand for a fixed monthly fee.

You can also place short advertisements before, during, and after the video and generate revenue through ads while still providing some free content. Aggregators also offer opportunities for pay-per-view and microtransactions for exclusive content, allowing consumers to pay for live sporting events, concerts, or new releases.

Global Trends in OTT Consumption

OTT aggregators provide a singular platform for users to access content from local and international providers, facilitating a more global content distribution. This widened reach makes it easier for providers to increase their audience base.

On the other hand, consumers also benefit from access to a broader range of content worldwide. As more people in regions like Asia, Latin America, and Africa start using OTT services, aggregators will continue to gain traction.

How OTT Aggregators Impact Live Streaming And Broadcasting

As platforms that bring together multiple content sources, OTT aggregators offer new opportunities for consumers and businesses. These platforms streamline content delivery across a variety of devices. They also provide consumers more flexible access to live events, broadcasts, and video-on-demand content.

At the same time, they offer businesses and content creators innovative ways to reach wider audiences. They open more opportunities for monetization and help platforms become more competitive in the OTT space.

Business Implications

These platforms benefit businesses simply by aggregating content from various providers in one place. It makes reaching viewers across different services and devices easier without managing multiple distribution channels. The increased exposure attracts a broader audience, which in turn drives higher engagement.

Aggregators also have a clear impact on content monetization and OTT distribution strategies. For example, live-streaming events, such as concerts or sports matches, can be monetized through pay-per-view or subscription models. Aggregators also give businesses access to in-depth analytics, allowing them to understand audience preferences better and adjust their content.

Disrupting Traditional TV and Cable

Unlike cable TV, which has a fixed program schedule, viewers can use OTT aggregators to watch live TV programming whenever and wherever they want. These new viewing habits drive consumers away from conventional cable packages and direct them toward full-form OTT streaming platforms.

They provide greater entertainment variety and better control over the consumption of that entertainment. As a result, traditional broadcasters and cable networks are quickly trying to adapt by offering their content through OTT aggregators, providing more on-demand content and live programming.

Opportunities for Content Providers

When they partner with an OTT aggregator, content providers get the chance to present their libraries to a wider viewer base. Usually, this is not really possible to do through traditional distribution channels.

Aggregators also increase discoverability, especially for more niche content. Smaller or independent creators can benefit from the aggregator’s platform to showcase their unique content to a global audience. It provides them with a chance to increase their visibility and audience engagement.

Dacast: Supporting OTT Aggregators with a Comprehensive Platform

ott platform dacast — **Many professional broadcasters turn to Dacast as their OTT platform of choice since it offers both live streaming and VOD hosting.**

Dacast helps content providers host, deliver, and distribute their OTT content to aggregators and platforms. It offers them a comprehensive solution for live streaming and VODs. As a leading OTT platform, Dacast has a full suite of essential video hosting features, including:

High-definition streaming
Adaptive bitrate technology
Global content delivery through a secure CDN
Cloud streaming technology

Dacast’s platform supports SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD monetization services. These options give content providers the freedom to monetize their videos with the model that best suits their content style.

Dacast’s platform integrates seamlessly with OTT aggregators, allowing content providers to expand their reach by distributing their videos across multiple services. By using Dacast’s video hosting infrastructure, they can deliver their content to various OTT aggregators, maximizing exposure without managing multiple platforms.

The possibility of integrating with OTT aggregators helps content reach a global audience. It gives content creators greater visibility and opportunities to engage with diverse viewer bases. Whether for live events or on-demand content, Dacast’s comprehensive platform helps you scale your OTT operations more effectively.

FAQ

1. How are OTT aggregators different from streaming services?

OTT aggregators compile content from multiple OTT platforms into one interface. Users only need to subscribe to one service to access content from multiple platforms and providers. In contrast, streaming services offer content exclusively from one provider, such as Netflix or Hulu, without combining other platforms’ content in a unified service.

2. Are there benefits of using an OTT content aggregator for consumers?

OTT content aggregators give audiences simplified access to diverse content from multiple platforms. They provide centralized subscription management and use an algorithm for more personalized media recommendations. Consumers can easily explore a broader range of shows and movies without switching between apps, getting a more convenient viewing experience.

3. How do OTT aggregators work technically?

OTT aggregators integrate APIs from various OTT platforms, allowing them to pull content from different services into one interface. They use metadata, such as content descriptions and genres, to categorize and display content to users. Aggregators often rely on cloud infrastructure for streaming and content management for smooth delivery across devices.

4. Are OTT aggregators available worldwide?

While many OTT aggregators are available in multiple regions, their availability is limited based on licensing agreements, local laws, and regional content restrictions. Some aggregators operate globally, but others are only accessible in specific countries or regions due to the variety of content offered.

5. How do OTT aggregators make money?

OTT aggregators generate revenue through various monetization models, including subscription fees, advertising, or partnerships with content providers. Some aggregators charge users a fee for access to bundled content. In contrast, others rely on ad-supported content or a hybrid model, combining ads with premium subscription options for a diverse revenue stream.

6. How do OTT aggregators handle live-streaming content?

Most OTT aggregators handle live-streaming content by integrating live-streaming APIs from various providers, allowing users to access live broadcasts within the aggregator’s interface. Depending on the aggregator’s model, they ensure low-latency, high-quality streaming through cloud infrastructure and support monetization features like pay-per-view or subscription-based live content delivery.

7. Can content creators benefit from OTT aggregators?

When using OTT aggregators, content creators gain access to a larger, more diverse audience. Aggregators provide increased discoverability by combining content from multiple sources, giving creators a platform to showcase their work. This exposure can lead to greater viewership, partnerships, and even more opportunities for content monetization.

Conclusion

The ways in which audiences approach entertainment and media consumption are constantly fluctuating. OTT aggregators are the next step in that evolution and are slowly picking up steam among viewers. Audiences want simplicity, and that’s exactly what OTT aggregators provide. A single access point to all the entertainment they want.

Dacast is always at the forefront of any trend that has to do with live streaming and exciting new OTT technology. Whether your viewers will be mostly watching at home, using mobile devices or on gaming consoles, we recommend trying different platforms to see which runs best for your viewers. And as we’ve laid out, many platforms offer free trials.

Dacast runs a free trial for 14 days with complete access, so you can try all its features. For a full 14 days you can test the platform and experience why we’re one of the top professional video hosting platforms.

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Jon Whitehead

Jon is the Chief Operating Officer at Dacast. He has over 20 years of experience working in Digital Marketing with a specialty in AudioVisual and Live Streaming technology.