DEG Guide | Digital Media Entertainment Definitions

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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.

CTVConnected 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.

FASTFree 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.

IVODInternet 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).

MVPDMultichannel 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.

OTTOver-the-Top services bypass traditional cable, broadcast and satellite TV platforms and use the internet to deliver or “stream” video directly to viewers.

PESTPremium 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.”

PVODPremium VOD. Refers to a premium priced rental transaction in an early home entertainment window prior to, concurrent with, or very soon after theatrical release.

SAVODSubscription Ad Supported Video On Demand is available to consumers for a fixed monthly fee and content includes advertising (e.g. Hulu)

Smart TVa 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).

TVODTransactional 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.


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