Prasar Bharati's OTT launch date pushed to October 3: Exclusive
The launch was earlier scheduled for September 15, which is now pushed to October amidst the growing concerns from select broadcasters and streaming platforms.
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The family-friendly OTT platform by Prasar Bharati which was first announced in 2023 is likely to be launched on October 3, according to the sources close to the development. The reason, however, remains undisclosed at the moment.
It was earlier scheduled for an August 15 launch, which then got pushed to September 15.
The postponement comes at a time when challenges are mounting for the pubcaster with cable TV operators and a handful of private broadcasters raising red flags and pushing for more clarity in the existing guidelines for its OTT platform.
Reportedly Prasar Bharati has received applications from 106 channels, out of which 44 were selected and 40 agreed to join the platform- leaving four major television networks choosing not to stream their linear channels on the pubcaster's upcoming OTT.
Prasar Bharati's move into the OTT space not only is poised to stir up competition for the other OTT players but is also distressing linear TV channels in the market. For top broadcasters, it is the conflict of interests as they already run their own subscription-based or ad-based OTT platforms. Additionally, some seek holistic regulatory review because of the pubcaster’s ability to integrate its OTT with traditional TV offerings, potentially leading to market distortions.
As per a source close to the development, handful of broadcasters are expected to actively lobby for regulatory changes over the next few weeks.
In its letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, dated September 2, All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has in fact urged the Ministry to withdraw Prasar Bharati's notice inviting TV broadcasters for its soon-to-be-launched OTT platform, as it believes the same disrupts uplinking and downlinking guidelines, and also disrupts the traditional TV distribution.
DTH operators too, reportedly are planning to write a similar letter to the information and broadcasting ministry on the placement of linear TV channels on Prasar Bharati's OTT platform.
Storyboard18 earlier reported how the main issue lies in the ambiguity around whether the current guidelines, which are designed for satellite TV apply to digital platforms like OTT. There’s a lack of clarity on this, and Prasar Bharati’s OTT venture might push the boundaries of these regulations, necessitating a need for updated guidelines.
Prasar Bharati's plan to foray into the OTT space, despite the presence of several international private OTT platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and Netflix in the country, stemmed from the need to showcase clear and family content. One of the government officials was reported saying, "Currently, some of the content on OTT platforms are bordering on vulgar, abusive language. It becomes embarrassing to watch it with your family. We want to offer a platform which is decent and promotes India’s culture and nationalist values," last year.
It is to be noted that the BJP manifesto also promised a plan to launch an OTT platform as part of its 100-day agenda if it returns to power for the third term.
