OTT Media Service Platforms; Details Inside

In Brief

There was a time when movies and cricket were the two biggest forms of entertainment in India and the trend continues to this day. Theatre going was a unique experience where viewers went to watch their favourite heroes perform superhuman feats on the big screen.

Going to the theatre and watching a movie has been a surreal experience for nearly a century as Indian Cinema, and cinema in general, is more than 120 years old, that continues to grow with each passing day, and none more so than India.

While movies and movie stars are revered like demigods in India, theatres are slowly becoming a thing of the past with the advent of over-the-top (OTT) services. Sacred Games was the first web-series that ushered in the OTT revolution in the country, thereby paving way for many shows of its kind, along with different genres.

Also Read: Drishyam 2 Hindi Version OTT Release to Come Out Soon

Covid-19 has also played a huge role in the public losing interest in going to theatres as they were confined to their homes for nearly a year due to the pandemic and discovered the power of OTT, and discovering the content from other film industries in India and the rest of the world.

2022 has been a unique year for Indian Cinema as only big budget action adventures laden with fantasy and over the top performances have become hits, with RRR and KGF: Chapter 2 leading the pack.

People are no longer interested in going to theatres unless it’s a film akin to the two mentioned above, which is a big reason why many other flicks have bitten the dust at the box office, and are far more comfortable sitting at home and waiting for the new releases to come up on OTT platforms.

Also Read: Kantara to Get Netflix OTT Release in Hindi on December 9

OTT is defined as a streaming media service that is offered directly to viewers via the internet that bypasses the cable, satellite, and broadcast television platforms. Due to the aforementioned pandemic, filmmakers are now releasing their movies on OTT platforms, by selling the rights for a huge sum.

Some of the best OTT Platforms in India are as follows:

• Netflix

  We’ll start with the most popular one that showcased Sacred Games and offers four subscription plans viz. Standard, Basic, Mobile, and Premium, that cost Rs.499, Rs.199, Rs.199, and Rs.649, respectively

  Also Read: Your complete guide to OTT in 2022 is here with Top underrated platforms

• Amazon Prime Video

  It was launched in India in 2016 and comes in the conversations of the best top 5 platforms in the country, where you can watch movies and shows in six Indian languages, with Amazon Prime Music joining the fray in February 2018. You can get an annual membership for Rs.1499, while monthly plan is for Rs.199, and 3 month plan is Rs.459

  Also Read: Error Spotted on HBO Max App by Apple TV 4K Users

• Disney+ Hotstar

  It is a subsidiary of Disney’s Star India where you can avail two subscription plans, which are VIP and Premium, where the former focuses on sports and domestic programmes, and the latter focuses on international movies and series (HBO, Showtime, among others). There are three plans available- Mobile Plan for Rs.499, Super Plan for Rs.899, and Premium plan for Rs.1499, which are valid for a year but all have different benefits

  Also Read: OTT to be Authenticated for Streamline Onboarding

• Zee5

  It is a subsidiary of Zee Entertainment Enterprises run by Essel Group that was launched on February 14, 2018, in India with content in 12 Indian languages and three plans- 12 month plan for Rs.499 as limited period offer, while the plan is for Rs.999, while you get 3 screens for a yearly plan

  Also Read: Recent OTT Releases

• Sony LIV

  A subsidiary of Sony Pictures Networks India, Sony LIV has three subscription offers for its subscribers- Rs.299 per month, Rs.699 for six months, and Rs.999 per year where the LIV Special Subscription is for Rs.199 in a year while LIV Special+ is for Rs.399 a year

  Also Read: Top 10 Most Expensive OTT/TV Series Ever Made