Over-the-top (OTT) advertising is internet-based media streaming, as opposed to traditional cable or satellite television. Streaming services have been growing rapidly in the last five years, and many people have been dropping their cable or satellite in favor of OTT media — they are often referred to as "cord-cutters." The need for advertisers to reach these cord-cutting audiences with scale and ease has manifested itself in the emergence of the OTT advertising market.

Over-the-top (OTT) media is online streaming services like Netflix, HBO Go and Hulu, which go over-the-top of traditional cable satellite television. Streaming services have changed the way that the advertising industry reaches its customers, which is where OTT advertising comes in.

Over-the-top (OTT) services are online streaming services like Sling TV, Hulu, Philo, FuboTV, Disney+ and Pluto tv, which collectively are quickly becoming the primary way people watch movies and television these days. OTT advertising allows advertisers to reach their target audience members who have stopped using cable or satellite TV in order to save money, or are simply looking for a more flexible way to watch on-demand content on any device, including the big TV screen in their living rooms.

Many Americans have cut their cords — canceled their cable or satellite television — preferring streaming services over traditional television. This has made over-the-top (OTT) advertising vital to any marketing strategy, as it allows you to reach the cord-cutters.