India’s state-owned broadcaster is actively adapting to contemporary trends. Prasar Bharti has entered the OTT market with the introduction of the WAVES OTT platform in India. This launch occurred during the IFFI Goa 2024 event and represents a notable advancement in digital streaming. Additionally, the launch was timed to coincide with World TV Day, adding further significance to the occasion.
The Waves App was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, alongside notable figures such as Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, and Shri Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati. Now, let us delve into the details of the WAVES OTT Platform.
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WAVES OTT App: Pricing
The WAVES App is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Most of the content is free, while premium content is available through subscription plans-
Gold Plan- Rs. 350/year, Rs. 85/month, Rs. 30/month
- 480p streaming
- 1-device access
- No downloads on TVOD discounts
Diamond Plan- Rs. 350/year, Rs. 85 for 3 months, and Rs. 30/month
- 720p streaming
- 2-device access
- No discounts on TVODs.
Platinum Plan- 999/year
- 1080p streaming
- 4-device access
- Downloads, live TV, radio, background play
- 10% discount on TVODs.
Subscriptions can be purchased via the official website, wavespb.com, as in-app payments are not yet supported.
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WAVES OTT App: Details
WAVES is set to provide content in more than 12 languages, such as Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Assamese, spanning over 10 infotainment genres. The initiative seeks to blend nostalgia with current digital trends, delivering both classic and modern programming.
Key Features of the WAVES App
- No-cost gaming options
- On-demand video services
- Live television streaming featuring 65 channels
- Streaming radio services Application integrations for video and gaming content
- E-commerce through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
The platform champions emerging creators by showcasing content from National Creator Award winners, including Kamiya Jani, Rj Raunac, and Shraddha Sharma. It also emphasizes student films produced by top film and media institutions such as FTII and Annapurna.
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Content & Events on WAVES
The platform features the following titles:
- Jackson Halt: A gripping crime thriller
- Jaiye App Kahan Jayenge: Centered around mobile sanitation solutions
- Kicking Balls: Produced by the acclaimed Oscar-winner Guneet Monga Kapoor
- Fauji 2.0: A contemporary reimagining of the classic 1980s series starring Shah Rukh Khan
- Roll No. 52: A student initiative from Annapurna Film & Media Studio
The platform will feature live broadcasts of various events, such as the Prabhu Shriram Lalla Aarti from Ayodhya, PM Narendra Modi’s Mann ki Baat, and the US Premier League Cricket Tournament commencing on November 22, 2024. Additionally, it will host a cybersecurity awareness initiative in partnership with CDAC and MeitY.
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Diverse Content Streaming on WAVES
The platform serves a wide-ranging audience with its varied content offerings:
- Popular animated series such as Chota Bheem, Akbar Birbal, and Doggy Adventure.
- Films focused on women’s narratives, including Corporate Sarpanch, Dashmi, and Kariathi.
- Bharat Ka Amrit Kalash, a music reality show hosted by Kailash Kher.
- Thode Door Thode Paas, a family drama featuring Pankaj Kapoor.
- Bhed Bharam is a thriller directed by Vipul Shah.
- Fouja is a feature film that has received national acclaim.
- Monkey King: The Hero is Back, a fantasy action series.
The broadcast will feature channels from Doordarshan, Akashvani, and various private broadcasters, encompassing a range of categories such as news, general entertainment, music, devotional content, and sports.
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Government Collaboration and Special Programming
Prasar Bharti partners with government ministries and state authorities to provide significant content, including:
- Archived materials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Cinemas of India, an initiative by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
- A documentary commemorating 75 years of the Supreme Court of India.
Talking about the launch of the platform, Shri Gaurav Dwivedi CEO of Prasar Bharti said, “The public broadcaster must be accessible across all platforms to ensure information and content reach audiences throughout our vast country.”
Prasar Bharti Chairman, Navneet Kumar Sehgal said, “As a national broadcaster, it is our duty to make clean family entertainment reach all sections of society.”
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