India’s public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, has unveiled its ambitious OTT platform, Waves, catering to a diverse audience with its tagline, ‘Waves – Family Entertainment Ki Nayi Lehar’. The platform, launched at the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, is now available for download on Android and iOS devices.
Waves brings together 40 live TV channels, offering a mix of news, music, movies, and regional programming. Notable channels include:
- Movies and Entertainment: B4U Kadak, B4U Bhojpuri, B4U Movies, Mastii, PTC Punjabi Gold, and Dabang.
- Music: 9X Jalwa, 9X Jhakaas, 9X Tashan, and ABZY Music.
- Regional and Niche: Maiboli, USPL, and Pitaara Movies.
- News Powerhouses: Republic, ABP News, NDTV India, India Today, and News24.
Additionally, viewers can access all Doordarshan and Akashvani channels, ensuring seamless access to the country’s legacy broadcasters.
Waves isn’t just about live TV. The platform offers a curated selection of movies like Aarakshan, The Impossible, and Alice Darling, alongside exclusive TV shows, interactive games, and live event streams.
To bolster its content library, Prasar Bharati introduced a revenue-sharing model, inviting private broadcasters to collaborate. Under this model:
- Broadcasters receive 65 percent of ad revenue generated through their content.
- Prasar Bharati retains the remaining 35 percent to sustain platform operations.
This model aims to incentivize content creators and expand Waves’ programming offerings.
The 40 channels on Waves were meticulously selected based on Gross Rating Points (GRPs), audience reach, and trending popularity, ensuring that the platform appeals to a wide demographic.
Waves marks a significant leap in Prasar Bharati’s digital evolution. With its expansive content range and innovative revenue-sharing strategy, the platform aims to compete in India’s burgeoning OTT market while bridging the gap between traditional and digital broadcasting.
As India’s entertainment landscape diversifies, Waves stands out as a promising platform for delivering family-centric, accessible, and engaging content to the masses.