The world of media and entertainment has been revolutionized since the inception of over-the-top (OTT) platforms, which dynamically shifted the viewing habits and entertainment consumption worldwide. The entertainment landscape has never been more inviting for the customers.
As per a recent Statista report, the average time people spend using subscription-based OTT video streaming services has increased year on year. From 44 minutes/day in 2018 to 70 minutes/day in 2022, this exponential growth can be attributed to the COVID-imposed stay at home and the shift from cable television to smart viewing devices.
When it comes to applications in the media and entertainment industry, there are lot of AI-based software components to consider. From using NLP to index videos, performing facial and voice recognition for user authentication, using machine learning to understanding user behavior, and implementing intelligent recommender systems to suggest new viewing titles, there is no shortage of elements in play (pun intended).
However, like everything else, these software components can be flawed. Unpredictable parameters can disrupt performance even in the most robust entertainment applications. Moreover, quality red flags regarding performance and security can come in the way of proper functionality, thus leading to an undesirable customer experience, something which any customer-oriented company would want to avoid.
This is where quality engineering steps in.
Quality engineering can help negate the prospective issues arising from the faulty implementation of software in these media apps. It can help ensure that media apps function as expected and deliver a delightful customer experience. In simple words, Quality Engineering is fast-tracking digital transformation in the media industry.
Here are some prevalent problems in media and entertainment software and how QE can help solve them:
Some of the significant difficulties with OTT platforms, which can be solved by incorporating strategic testing solutions, are:
Let’s discuss these in detail:
Multiple users trying to access/view the same title simultaneously, especially if the volume is beyond a stipulated peak, can crash the system, preventing a lot of these viewers from accessing the applications.
For example, there is a sudden spike in viewership when a new/awaited series or movie is launched. Also, peak usage can usually be noticed on the weekends or during the holiday season. A global event such as the Academy Awards or even a sports tournament finale can push the app beyond its limits of expected traffic.
It is, therefore, a good practice to perform stress and load testing regularly to ensure seamless performance even in the event of peak usage.
Multiple users trying to jam their way in through a single account is a potential security threat. Not only does this cost the OTT platform, but it also puts the content at risk of theft.
With growing video piracy, increased account frauds, sharing, takeover and identity thefts that are made possible by password sharing, OTT media and entertainment companies face an uphill task of securing their platforms and subscribers.
Additionally, multiple account handling can disturb ML algorithms while suggesting relevant content.
QE-enabled identity management testing is a pre-requisite for every streaming platform to protect the interests of paying customers and also secure subscribers’ sensitive information.
Device compatibility and network compatibility are musts for streaming platforms that want to increase or maintain their existing customer base. Therefore, an OTT platform must handle hardware connectivity and network affinity with ease.
It means that the platform should be able to perform well, irrespective of the network strength and ease of connectivity across all geographical locations. Managing subscriptions in real-time and managing big data generated from sign-ups requires fast, reliable and secure portals.
To ensure such seamless compatibility, acceptance tests and managed crowd testing are required.
A faulty UI/UX can wreak havoc on usership, app ratings and subsequent downloads. To keep customers coming back, OTT platforms are dependent on two things – good quality content (obviously!) and an efficient & user-friendly interface.
Navigational flow, search results relevance and proper functionality of the UX of the app determine its ease of use. Quality engineering can help smooth out such performance issues, by regularly testing new features and any changes to the application with the help of timely performance and usability testing.
It goes without saying that technology plays a vital role in the implementation and success of OTT platforms. Therefore, various technical elements such as servers, APIs, security firewalls, content management systems and device integration systems must be tested in order to keep your OTT service up and running smoothly.
Quality engineering practices ensure that all technical software aspects are subjected to stringent quality checks.
OTT platforms and media apps are no doubt, here to stay. With machine learning algorithms driving enhanced personalization, i.e., curating content recommendations based on viewing history and selected favorites, it is essential that these platforms be rigorously tested for efficiency.
Effective software testing as part of strategic quality engineering efforts is crucial for these AI-based media applications. However, long-term software testing solutions for media apps demand both experience and expertise of the quality solutions provider.
The media and entertainment experts at Qualitest possess the required skillsets along with decades of experience in helping businesses provide quality to their customers through reliable software. Reach out to our experts for a consultation.
