Creating WAVES across the globe: India’s Prasar Bharati launches mega OTT platform

With the advent of digital streaming and its growing demand over the years, India’s celebrated public broadcaster, Doordarshan has ventured into the OTT streaming segment. A part of the Viksit Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, WAVES is a milestone of the Digital India campaign. It builds on the legacies of Akashvani and Doordarshan, featuring iconic serials and movies, blending India’s culture with modern digital trends and contemporary programming, a statement released by the India’s I&B Ministry said.

WAVES will serve as an aggregator OTT platform, showcasing inclusive Indian stories embracing Indian culture with an international outlook in 12 plus languages, the statement said. The platform has content spread across 10 plus genres of infotainment and in Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, Assamese. WAVES will provide video-on-demand, free-to-play gaming, podcasts, audio books and journals, radio streaming, live TV streaming, and several app-in-app integrations for video and gaming content, the statement added.

The platform, apart from offering digital streaming services across 65 live channels, also has an e-commerce section supported by the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) that will promote MSMEs and local enterprises.  The platform’s last mile connectivity with rural audiences is facilitated by BharatNet.

WAVES boasts of an impressive content library, featuring timeless classics like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktimaan, Hum Log and Fauji 2.0, an adaptation of Bollywood Star Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic show, Fauji, reconnecting audiences to cultural and emotional roots of India. It possesses a repertoire of diverse and inclusive content, including news, regional content and documentaries. Mann ki Baat, the PM’s monthly address to citizens will also be streamed on the platform. The statement also mentioned the launch of “a Cyber Security awareness campaign with Daily Video messages in partnership with CDAC, MeitY, backed by programmes such as Cyber Crime ki Duniya (a fictionalized series) and Cyber Alert (by DD News features).”

Recognizing the potential of young creators in a creative digital economy, WAVES will unlock opportunities to content creators including National Creator Awardees like Kamiya Jani, RJ Raunac, Shraddha Sharma and others. To encourage the growth of independent content, WAVES’ portal is also open to student graduation films from film and media colleges like FTII, Annapurna, and AAFT, the statement highlighted.

Central government ministries and states are collaborating with Prasar Bharati to co-develop and contribute diverse content, including docudramas, dramatized or fictionalized shows, and reality programs with entertainment value, serving as effective mediums for conveying meaningful messages. This content includes a documentary on the 75th anniversary of the Supreme Court of India, the NFDC archives titled Cinemas of India, and rare archival material from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, such as historical photos, journals, and publications. Contributions also come from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, IGNCA, Ministry of Culture, and India Post, offering a range of informative and entertaining programming for WAVES.

The digital OTT platform WAVES combines India cultural ethos with a modern aesthetic. Its user-friendly interface, cross-platform compatibility, personalized profiles, and curated playlists enhance the streaming experience, adding significant value for its audience. WAVES OTT App is available on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

The Government of India is also gearing up to host the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) from February 5 to 9, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as a step towards strengthening India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry and enhance its global presence.

Speaking at a promotional roadshow held at Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU), Hyderabad, I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju, highlighted that WAVES would be the first-ever global summit encompassing the entire spectrum of the M&E industry.

He further elaborated that OTT WAVES in India aims to foster collaboration between the M&E industry and technology, serving as a premier platform for dialogue, innovation, and trade partnerships. Bringing together industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators, the summit will address challenges, explore opportunities, attract international trade, and shape the future of India’s burgeoning M&E landscape.

(Used under special arrangement with SAH)