Waves OTT: A New Wave Streaming Platform In The Indian Market

Over-the-top (OTT) streaming is taking over the Indian movie, series, and shows market. Platforms like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime Video hold supreme power and money. The launch of Prasar Bharati’s Waves is an exciting growth in India’s digital entertainment landscape. The platform blends the old-school charisma of Doordarshan and Akashvani with a contemporary edge. Their tagline is “A New Wave of Family Entertainment.”

Prasar Bharati creates Waves under the guidance of the Press Information Bureau, Government of India, an initiative offering viewers entertainment and educational content. The platform also features a treasure trove of historical and cultural gems.

One is a documentary on the 75th anniversary of the Supreme Court of India that takes an in-depth look at its legacy. The cinemas of India collection is sourced from NFDC archives. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has also provided rare archival materials, including historical photos, journals, and publications that give a peek into India’s rich past.

Various other ministries, like the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, IGNCA (Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts), Ministry of Culture, and India Post contributed educational and entertaining programs. These additions ensure that Waves offers more than just fun. It’s a platform to learn about India’s history, achievements, and culture.

A Platform for Desi Homes

Waves isn’t just another OTT app; it’s an earth pot of India’s diverse entertainment palette. With 40 live channels, the platform caters to various tastes, like Bollywood blockbusters and regional hits to 24×7 news coverage.

Which channels do you recognise from these? B4U, ABZY, SAB Group, and 9X Media channels, along with big news players like Republic, NDTV India, ABP News, and India Today, are on board with Waves. For those who grew up with the comforting sounds of Akashvani or the DD logo, both channels feel like a warm hug of memories.

However, the channel sign-ups still need to be finalised. Many broadcasters need to be included, leaving viewers hopeful for a broader library in the future. Still, with content available in 12 languages, Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, Assamese. Waves is reaching many shores for inclusivity.

What’s More on Waves?

Waves don’t stop with live channels. For film buffs, many movies like Aarakshan, One Day, The Impossible, and Alice Darling have been added. Numerous TV shows and soap operas entertain family audiences. The platform also offers games and live event streaming (Inspired by Netflix), ensuring they have something for every mood. Waves is trying to position itself as a one-stop solution for those seeking affordable and wholesome entertainment.

Money Matters

A standout feature of Waves we need to know is its revenue-sharing model. Broadcasters receive 65% of ad revenue, while Prasar Bharati keeps a mere 35%. It’s an intelligent strategy that may attract more content creators and broadcasters to the platform so the ecosystem can thrive. This model also sets Waves apart from its competitors, as its primary focus is encouraging collaboration over capitalisation.

They Launched Waves Smartly at IFFI

Timing is everything. Waves were launched by that state’s Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Prasar Bharati grabbed headlines and established Waves as a significant player in India’s OTT space by launching at such an event.

Waves was different from Prasar Bharati’s spontaneous move. The broadcaster invited TV channels to join its OTT venture back in August. Waves aim to bring Bharat’s rich media into the 21st century by combining traditional broadcasting with modern-day streaming trends.

Can Waves Hit the Shore?

Competing with established players in the OTT market will require constant innovation, aggressive marketing and an ever-expanding content library. With its unique positioning as a family-centric, regional-inclusive platform, Waves must stand a good chance in its niche.

Does Waves OTT matter?

Prasar Bharati has been a household name in India for years, synonymous with trustworthy news and culture-rich programmes. Now, it bridges the gap between its past and the current savvy trends. Though they say it’s not just about entertainment but creating a platform that every Indian can call their own since the current market is dominated by international giants.

We have something new; let’s encourage it to the fullest. Whether you’re a movie buff, a news junkie or someone looking for Indie-serials, download and sign-up for Waves.

It’s not just a streaming service; it’s the OTT equivalent of Desi Ghee Tadkha in your life.

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