From Broadcast to Broadband: Ott Platforms and the Transformation of Home Entertainment Ecosystems

The evolution of home entertainment from broadcast-based television to broadband-enabled streaming platforms constitutes a fundamental transformation in contemporary media ecosystems. Traditional broadcasting operated within a linear, schedule-driven framework characterized by centralized content distribution and limited audience agency. In contrast, Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms—such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+—deliver content via internet infrastructures, enabling on-demand access, personalized viewing, and multi-device consumption. This transition reflects broader processes of digital convergence, wherein distinctions between media formats, distribution channels, and user roles are increasingly blurred.