Tag: OTTs

  • Cable TV lobby slams TRAI’s DTH licence fee waiver call

    Cable TV lobby slams TRAI’s DTH licence fee waiver call

    NEW DELHI – India’s top cable lobby has sounded the alarm over TRAI’s proposal to slash and eventually scrap licence fees for Direct-to-Home (DTH) operators, warning it could wreck the delicate balance in the country’s broadcast distribution ecosystem.

    In a strongly-worded representation to the information and broadcasting ministry, the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) – which represents over 880 multi-system operators (MSOs) and 1.6 lakh local cable operators (LCOs) – said the move would “deepen regulatory inequality” and “threaten over 10 lakh livelihoods” linked to the cable TV industry.

    The AIDCF accused TRAI of tilting the scales in favour of DTH players who already enjoy “cost-free, administratively allocated spectrum” while cable operators continue to bleed under high Right of Way (RoW) charges and hefty underground infrastructure investments.

    “A DTH licence fee waiver will distort competition and violate regulatory neutrality,” an AIDCF spokesperson said, adding that any cut would hasten subscriber churn from cable to satellite platforms. The body flagged other disruptors like Free Dish, OTTs, Fast TV and digital DPOs as further stress points for the struggling cable sector.

    Rather than easing licence costs for satellite platforms, AIDCF wants the government to implement a fair cost recovery mechanism across distribution platforms, reflecting the true commercial value of spectrum. It has urged the ministry to junk TRAI’s recommendation in favour of a level playing field that safeguards the sector’s long-term viability.

  • NBA goes better with YouTube

    NBA goes better with YouTube

    MUMBAI: Life is simpler on YouTube. The streaming platform, which is about 50 times bigger than its nearest competitor in terms of ad revenue, is the go-to place for many a player now following the tough negotiations the OTTs are throwing up. Additionally, most of the these have their  sports timetable choc-a-bloc with events. 

    No wonder The National Basketball Association (NBA) over the weekend announced an expansion of its existing content partnership with YouTube that will see NBA games and marquee events livestreamed to fans in India on the NBA’s global YouTube channel (YouTube.com/@NBA) through the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

    Live coverage will include weekly regular-season games, NBA All-Star 2025, a selection of NBA Playoff games and the 2025 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV.

    To enhance the viewing experience for fans in India, the NBA will also collaborate with top YouTube creators by having select games and events livestreamed on their YouTube channels as well, starting with popular creator duo Jordindian (YouTube.com/@Jordindian) for the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Sunday, 16 February at 7:00 am IST.

    The 2024-25 NBA season is airing live in India on the NBA YouTube channel and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available via the NBA App. Fans in India can follow the NBA on Facebook (Facebook.com/NBAIndia), Instagram (@NBAIndia and, for everything style-related,  @NBAStyle_in) and X (@NBAIndia) and download the NBA App for the latest news, updates, scores, stats, schedules, videos, and more. 

  • Original Content is Going to Be the Winning Factor for OTTs like ZEE5!

    Original Content is Going to Be the Winning Factor for OTTs like ZEE5!

    The Indian OTT space is experiencing an exciting phase with the influx of new content. And leading the race is India’s home-grown platform, ZEE5. With a path-breaking bouquet of offerings spanning multiple genres, ZEE5 is set to wow audiences with an exciting line-up of original movies and web series. Ramping up its diversified content portfolio, the streaming giant has promised the audience a vast catalogue that will appeal to audiences of all backgrounds. Let’s explore how this strategy can be a winning factor for the OTT player. 

    An Exclusive Portfolio of Multilingual Content

    Smartphone penetration coupled with easy accessibility has enabled audiences from Tier 2 and 3 cities to get uninterrupted entertainment at their fingertips. Audiences are open to a wide range of content, pushing the envelope of creativity for content creators. From Hindi films to Tamil blockbusters, ZEE5 has an exclusive selection of movies that viewers can access from anywhere in the nation. With original content at the forefront, the streaming platform has a burgeoning selection of flicks that adds a silver lining to its popularity. 

    Manish Kalra, ZEE5’s Chief Business Officer, commented that “2022 will see fresh content from ZEE5 on the movies front as we have commissioned new inventory. The streaming platform will see 2X growth in original content with a special focus on regional content.”

    Along with Hindi films, the entertainment platform has movies and web series in over 12 languages. The multiple offerings connect people from varied demographics, regions, and cultural differences under one roof. The streaming giant is investing in building an exclusive library of original content in languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi, Punjabi, and more. ZEE5 started the year with a bang by launching exclusive movies that include 36 Farmhouse, Mudhal Nee Mudivum Nee, Ellam Sheriyakum, and more. These movies received wide critical acclaim conquering the hearts of millions.  

    Entertaining Audiences with Original and Engaging Storylines

    Taking inspiration from India’s diverse culture, ZEE5 has a selection of movies that provide the audiences with different narratives, offering a fresh perspective. Many of the stories on the platform have original content inspired by the lives of ordinary people. From breaking stereotypes in 14 Phere and Rashmi Rocket to fighting injustice in 200 Hallo Ho, ZEE5 has a good line-up that features unique themes. Besides a solid screenplay with a stellar cast, these movies also tackle varied social themes plaguing our society today. Along with fiction programming, the platform also has non-fiction content for viewers, including chat shows, news stories, and more. ZEE5 has irrevocably changed streaming for Indian viewers for the better, bringing unique plots to viewers globally.

    Experimentation is the Driving Force Behind ZEE5 Originals

    While ZEE5 is increasingly focusing on regional content to retain viewers, the main driving force behind the success of ZEE5 Originals is experimentation. Hindi films like Bob Biswas, Kaagaz, 420 IPC, and more have received wide critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike. The streaming giant has also collaborated with various creators and filmmakers like Applause Entertainment, Red Chillies Entertainment, TVF, and more to churn out original content and explore new territories. 

    The streaming giant has created a creative outlet that audiences feel drawn to. With the vision of ‘Entertainment Inclusivity’, ZEE5 collaborates with creators to bring local stories that connect with audiences emotionally and give them a global stage by making them available across 190+ countries.  

    Upping its Entertainment Game with Every Release

    The regional film industry has created ripples in the Indian entertainment industry. This means that Indian cinema is no longer a place for formulaic storylines. By bringing diversity and authenticity to the cinematic landscape, ZEE5 has created a larger ecosystem of digital content creation. With new releases every month, the streaming platform provides quality entertainment to viewers with niche films bound to leave an impact. The OTT player has more than 40+ Originals lined up for release in FY22, promising viewers a new world for entertainment at the flick of a button. 

  • Quibi hits 1.7 million downloads in its first week

    Quibi hits 1.7 million downloads in its first week

    MUMBAI: Short-form video streaming app Quibi has achieved 1.7 million downloads in its first week, says its boss Meg Whitman.

    The app, launched on 6 April, streams clips 10 minutes or shorter.

    The short videos, or quick-bite videos, are ideally suited for short breaks or commuting, the company advertised. The app streams shows that are 10 minutes or even shorter. Another feature of the app is that it streams movies that are broken into small segments.

    The company is making efforts to make Quibi available on TVs. As of now, the app is available only on tablets and smartphones.  

    Whitman, in an interview with CNBC, feels that the COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted the launch.

    "It turns out people have in-between moments at home. We don't actually think it hurt us," she said.

    A few experts were skeptical of the short-video app. They were of the opinion that it would be difficult for Quibi to get users due to the COVID-19 lockdown. They thought that people who are cocooned at homes would prefer watching long-duration videos on bigger devices.

    Quibi is now available as part of a 90-day free trial. While an ad-backed version is available in the US and Canada, an ad-free version has been made available in countries like Germany and the UK.

    Quibi aims to compete with TV and OTTs like Netflix and social media video platforms such as Tiktok and YouTube.