DEG Guide August 2022
Digital Entertainment Definitions
DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group compiled a list of industry terminology to help standardize communication about the latest digital business models and services.
AVOD* – Ad-supported Video-on-Demand. Consumers have access to movies, TV shows and more on demand at no cost (no subscription fee) or discounted, with the inclusion of advertising.
Bundle/Bundling – when multiple streaming services are offered for one subscription fee.
CTV – Connected TV – An internet-connected device that connects to or is embedded in a television (e.g. smart TV, gaming console, streaming device) used to stream video content.
Churn – refers to when streaming consumers drop their subscription; loss of subscribers to a streaming service
DTC – Direct-to-consumer services deliver single- or multi-channel content to consumers directly from a network or provider.
Download-to-Own – digital content purchased or licensed from platforms like Amazon Prime and iTunes (similar to EST).
Electronic Sell-through (EST) – refers to digital titles priced for sale to consumers. Enables standard or premium digital content to be streamed or downloaded by consumers for a fixed one-time fee and viewed as many times as they like, on various devices.
FAST – Free ad-supported streaming TV – linear channels delivered over the internet and available from third party platforms (e.g., Pluto, Tubi, Samsung TV+).
FVOD – Free Video On Demand is available to consumers at no cost. May or may not include advertising. Often presented as “front porch” content used to entice consumers to subscribe to a particular service.
IVOD – Internet Video On Demand is transactional VOD delivered through an internet service.
Linear TV – refers to live or prerecorded television programs that are distributed in real time, rather than on-demand, by cable (e.g., Comcast), satellite (e.g., DirecTV), telco (e.g., Verizon Fios) or broadcast OTA (over-the-air) networks, as well as internet-delivered digital program distributors (e.g., Hulu + Live TV, YouTubeTV, SlingTV).
MVPD – Multichannel Video Program Distributors offer a variety of different linear content channels from multiple providers over cable, satellite or telco services (e.g., Comcast, DISH, DirecTV, Verizon Fios) on a subscription basis. Virtual MVPDS (vMVPDs) offer channels through internet-delivered services (e.g., Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV).
O&O – an abbreviated way to reference a broadcast station that is “owned-and-operated” by the network or company that it’s affiliated with. NBC 4 Los Angeles, for example, is owned and operated by NBCUniversal.
OTT – Over-the-Top services bypass traditional cable, broadcast and satellite TV platforms and use the internet to deliver or “stream” video directly to viewers.
PEST – Premium Electronic Sell-Through for a one-time fee offers a specific piece of digital content to be purchased or licensed earlier than its traditional release “window.”
PVOD – Premium VOD. Refers to a premium priced rental transaction in an early home entertainment window prior to, concurrent with, or very soon after theatrical release.
SAVOD – Subscription Ad Supported Video On Demand is available to consumers for a fixed monthly fee and content includes advertising (e.g. Hulu)
Smart TV – a TV with a built-in internet connection and media platform (also see CTV).
SVOD* – Subscription Video-on-Demand services require a monthly fee for the subscriber to access content including movies and TV shows on demand for an unlimited number of times (e.g., Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix).
TVOD – Transactional Video-on-Demand services charge a one-time fee for viewing a specific piece of content for either a limited rental period (typically 24 or 48 hours), or an extended collection period (EST).
TV OS – TV operating system refers to the software in smart TVs and set top boxes that allows users to access and control advanced features and connected devices.
VOD – Video on Demand delivers video content (e.g. movies, TV programs) directly to consumers instantaneously, at any time, for viewing on a television, computer, mobile device.
* Some services may fall into more than one category. Amazon Prime, for example, offers both TVOD and SVOD components. Peacock offers a menu of plans ranging from free AVOD to SVOD.
** PEST and PVOD are generally offered through transactional services but may also be presented for added fees on subscription services.