Prasar Bharati To Launch Partially Subscription-Based OTT Platform At IFFI 2024: What We Know So Far

Prasar Bharati's OTT launch date was confirmed by I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju at IGDC 2024.

Jaju revealed that numerous channels currently on DD Free Dish, Prasar Bharati’s free satellite service, are expected to join the new OTT platform.

Source : IGDC

Hyderabad: Prasar Bharati, the country's public service broadcaster, is set to enter the over-the-top (OTT) streaming market with a new platform that will be primarily free with a small portion of content offered under a subscription model. The launch is scheduled for November 20 during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, as confirmed by Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on Wednesday.

Jaju shared the announcement at the 16th India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) in Hyderabad, where he participated in a media roundtable to discuss Prasar Bharati’s digital future. The conference, organised by the Game Developer Association of India, runs from November 13 to 15 and serves as a significant forum for innovations in the Indian gaming and digital space.

What Will Prasar Bharati's OTT Platform Offer?

Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform will offer a range of content that distinguishes it from other streaming services. Beyond standard streaming content, the platform will feature a significant archive of historical documentaries, photographs, and publications from Prasar Bharati's extensive collection, including material from India’s photo division.

According to Jaju, this will allow viewers access to rare content that isn’t available on other OTT services, making the platform “a game-changer” in India’s digital entertainment ecosystem. He added that Prasar Bharati’s platform will also stream live channels, expanding access to real-time content.

Discussing potential partnerships, Jaju revealed that numerous channels currently on DD Free Dish, Prasar Bharati’s free satellite service, are expected to join the new OTT platform. With close to 60 entertainment channels on DD Free Dish, this integration could give Prasar Bharati’s OTT service a unique edge, combining live television with on-demand content.

While the OTT platform was initially set to launch on September 15, it was postponed twice — first to October 3, and now to November 20.

Prasar Bharati’s move to bridge traditional broadcasting with OTT streaming could reshape the competitive landscape for Indian OTT services, posing both opportunities and challenges for viewers and industry stakeholders alike.