A Deep Dive into Online Video Platforms

Online video platforms are the technology solutions that help organizations make the most out of their video content in the digital world.

When we think of a video platform, YouTube instantly pops up in our minds. While YouTube is one famous example of such a platform, there are numerous others, each of a different type and built with a different purpose.

The online video platform market, estimated at $9.94 billion in 2023, will reach $11.76 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $33.12 billion by 2030, with a growth rate of 18.74% annually.

But what exactly is a video platform? How would you define it? What is its history? What does it mean for content creators? Let’s dive in.

What is a Video Platform?

An online video platform is a place where you can upload, convert, store, stream and deliver videos online.

Online video platforms are also known as video CMS (content management system), video cloud, video hosting platform, or video player.

You can leverage a video platform for online training and education, as well as marketing and advertising purposes. Organizations today widely use online video platforms to maximize audience reach, enhance video content security and diverse monetization options.

The History: Evolution of Video Platforms

Today, marketers are going crazy for short-form videos, (26% of them planning to invest most in it!), but how did we get here?

How did it all begin? What factors led to the development and evolution of online video platforms into their current form?

Here is a brief history of how video sharing became widespread;

Back in 1990’s, uploading videos online was a struggle. ShareYourWorld.com was the first video hosting site, developed in 1997 but it couldn't operate long and closed by 2001 because of limitations in bandwidth and video transcoding technology.

Later in 2004, Pandora TV, a South Korean platform launched in 2004, offered user-generated content with ads and unlimited storage, paving the way for a more sustainable model.

In 2005, YouTube, founded by Chad Hurley, Jawed Karim and Steve Chen, exploded as the go-to platform for user-generated content, offering an alternative to traditional TV.

From the grainy, pixelated videos that once took hours to buffer, we've come a long way to today's readily available high-definition streams. One fundamental technological advancement that paved the way for this transformation is video compression technology.

Courtesy of the video compression technology, video storage cost has substantially dropped, sharing videos has become a breeze, transmission is simpler and the quality of both the video and audio has improved.

While videos continued to gain popularity after the inception of YouTube in 2005, many several online video streaming platforms were developed by companies like  Netflix, Hulu and Crunchyroll.

But there was one problem; video sharing was becoming easier, but the available video platforms weren’t as secure. Many organizations wanted to leverage online video platforms for internal video sharing and marketing, but they were apprehensive of sharing their video content publicly.

That’s precisely when corporate and enterprise video hosting platforms emerged. Among these video CMS (content management system), some of the leading platforms for secure video storage and video content management include VIDIZMO, Vimeo and Brightcove. Each online video platform caters to a different audience and is built with a specific purpose.

But as more and more video platforms continue to develop, choosing the right one has become increasingly difficult for organizations.

Today, you have a wide range of video platforms to choose from. Once you sort out your organization’s key video sharing and storage requirements, you can narrow down your options to find the platform that best fits your specific needs.

Types of Video Platforms

To help you make the right choice, we have made a list of different types of online video platforms available today.

Public Video Streaming

These platforms allow you to upload videos that can be viewed by public online through anonymous access and shareable link. The videos are stored remotely on the platform's servers and streamed with instant playback, eliminating the need to download the entire file.

Content creators use public streaming platforms to public streaming platforms like YouTube offer remote video storage, instant playback, and wide audience reach for content creators to share, connect, and earn with several monetization options available.

Examples: YouTube, Twitch, TikTok

On-Demand Video Streaming (VoD)

On-demand video streaming platforms offer a video library of pre-recorded video content that you can watch at your convenience ─ often through subscriptions or pay-per-view options. These platforms allow you to offer videos to your audience as and when required, instead of having to make them match your broadcasting schedule.

Examples: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Prime Video

Video-Based Training Platform

Also known as online learning platforms, video-based training platforms are designed for individuals and organizations to host and sell online courses.

These platforms are gaining popularity worldwide with the global e-learning services market size expected to surge at a CAGR of 20.40% from 2024 to 2033. It’s poised to hit a whopping USD 1,374.67 billion by 2033.

Universities and organizations partner up with these platforms to deliver job-relevant to provide students and/or employees high-quality online education.

Examples: Coursera, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, edX online course platform, Echo360.

Live Video Streaming

These platforms let you broadcast video live over the internet i.e. viewers can watch as you record and transmit the video simultaneously.

Live video streaming platforms offer one-way communication equipped with interactive features like live chat, surveys and handouts to keep the viewers engaged.

Examples: Facebook Live, Stream Shark, and Instagram Live.

Digital Asset Management System

A Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) is a software application that helps businesses organize, store, manage, and deliver large digital content including videos, images and documents.

These platforms provide businesses with secure digital content storage and sharing capabilities to help them share videos with specific audiences through password/payment protection and access control.

This helps businesses organize their growing digital assets, find any digital file quickly, and keep confidential videos separate from public content.

However, it’s important to note that while these platforms may offer content security, seamless sharing, and enhanced creative workflows, most digital asset management platforms may not offer live streaming capabilities, in-depth video performance analytics, user-level analytics, activity logs, consumption reports and video interactivity features.

Examples: Bynder, Brandfolder

 Enterprise Video Content Management System/Enterprise Video Platform

An enterprise video CMS serves as a centralized solution for managing all aspects of your video content needs, offering a range of benefits for organizations.

Such platforms provide a unified space for storing, organizing, and delivering videos to facilitate improved knowledge sharing, streamlined workflows, and enhanced training initiatives.

With features such as robust storage and organization capabilities, AI-powered search functionalities, flexible delivery options, advanced analytics, and robust security controls, enterprise video CMS platforms empower businesses to efficiently manage their video content lifecycle.

Whether it's storing marketing materials, conducting internal training sessions, or streaming live events, these platforms offer a comprehensive suite of tools to optimize video strategy and maximize engagement.

To learn more, explore our detailed guide on video platforms to navigate the landscape effectively.

An enterprise video CMS is an all-in-one solution that acts as a central hub for all your video needs. These platforms can significantly contribute to an organization’s improved knowledge sharing, secure and streamlined workflows, and enhanced employee training. It offers a comprehensive suite of features to manage, deliver, and analyze your video content.

Choose the Right Online Video Platform for your Organization

Infographic showing top features of an enterprise video CMS

Since an enterprise video platform offers encompasses all the important features required to organize, manage and securely share videos, many organizations prefer them over other online video platforms.

VIDIZMO EnterpriseTube: The Complete Video Content Management Solution

EnterpriseTube user interface

VIDIZMO EnterpriseTube is a leading AI-powered Enterprise Video Content Management System that offers all the functionalities you might need to manage your video content effectively, including:

Secure Storage & Organization: Securely store videos and organize your personalized video library effectively within categories with robust access control features like role-based permissions and user groups.

Advanced Search & Retrieval: Utilize AI-powered search to find specific videos quickly based on content, speakers, keywords, or even facial recognition within the videos.

Flexible Delivery Options: Stream videos publicly for marketing campaigns, share them privately for confidential meetings, or embed them on your website. You can even apply password protection to some videos for added control.

Live Streaming Capabilities: Stream live events, town halls, or webinars directly from the platform. This might include features like audience engagement tools, live chat functionalities, and recording options for later access.

Detailed Analytics & Reporting: Gain valuable insights into viewer engagement with your videos. Track metrics like total time played, completion rates, engagement metrics within videos, and user demographics to understand audience behavior and optimize your video strategy.

Security & Compliance: Ensure the security of your video content with features like video encryption, data privacy compliance (like GDPR and HIPAA), and audit trails for tracking access and activity. If required, you can also acquire VIDIZMO redactor for redacting confidential information from videos and other documents.

AI Powered Tools: VIDIZMO offers additional AI-powered capabilities including but not limited to automatic transcription and translation, or closed captioning tools, video editing, redaction and more.

Scalability: The enterprise video platform can grow with your needs, accommodating a vast video library and diverse video management requirements. VIDZIMO EnterpriseTube offers different subscription plans to cater to businesses of various sizes.

Want to discuss your concerns with our team?