The Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, officially launched ‘WAVES’, the OTT platform of the national public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, during the opening ceremony of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, along with other dignitaries, was also present at the event.
Swati Bhat
Doordarshan, India’s esteemed public broadcaster, has entered the OTT (Over-The-Top) platform arena to address the increasing demand for digital streaming services. The platform seeks to evoke nostalgia while embracing contemporary digital trends by offering a diverse blend of classic and modern programming. Featuring a library that includes timeless shows such as Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktimaan, and Hum Log, it appeals to audiences seeking cultural and emotional connections with India's heritage. Additionally, it provides news, documentaries, and regional content, underscoring its dedication to inclusivity and diversity. By leveraging its extensive legacy and national trust, Doordarshan's OTT platform effectively bridges the gap between traditional television and modern streaming, catering to both tech-savvy youth and older generations.
‘WAVES’ has emerged as a major aggregator OTT platform, showcasing Inclusive India stories that embrace Indian culture with an international perspective, available in over 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Assamese. It spans more than 10 genres of infotainment and offers video on demand, free-to-play gaming, radio streaming, live TV streaming, 65 live channels, various App-in-App integrations for video and gaming content, and online shopping through an ONDC-supported e-commerce platform.
In a conscious effort to unlock the potential of young creators in the creative economy, WAVES provides its platform to content creators, including National Creator Awardees like Kamiya Jani, RJ Raunac, Shraddha Sharma, and others. WAVES has also opened its portal to student graduation films from film and media colleges such as FTII, Annapurna, and AAFT.
New Films and Shows on WAVES to be Screened at IFFI
In alignment with the focus of the 55th IFFI on young filmmakers, WAVES will screen ‘Roll No.52,’ a student graduation film from Annapurna Film and Media Studio by Nagarjuna and Amala Akkineni.
'Fauji 2.0,' a contemporary adaptation of the iconic 1980s Shahrukh Khan series Fauji, 'Kicking Balls' by Oscar-winning Guneet Monga Kapoor, 'Jackson Halt,' a crime thriller, and 'Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge,' themed around mobile toilets, will be showcased on WAVES.
WAVES features live events such as the Prabhu Shriram Lalla Aarti broadcasted live from Ayodhya and the monthly Mann ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The forthcoming US Premier League Cricket Tournament will be streamed live on WAVES starting 22nd November, 2024. WAVES will also initiate a Cyber Security awareness campaign with daily video messages in collaboration with CDAC, MeitY. This initiative is supported by programs like Cyber Crime ki Duniya (a fictional series) and Cyber Alert (by DD News features).
Additional films and shows on WAVES include the fantasy action superhero film 'Monkey King: The Hero is Back', the national award-winning Fouja, Armaan, Vipul Shah’s thriller series Bhed Bharam, the family drama Thode Door Thode Paas featuring Pankaj Kapoor, Kailash Kher’s music reality show Bharat ka Amrit Kalash, Sarpanch, BeCubed by Hotmail Founder Sabeer Bhatia, and women-centric shows and films such as Corporate Sarpanch, Dashmi, and Kariathi, Jaanki. WAVES also offers a selection of popular animated programs including Doggy Adventure, Chota Bheem, Tenaliram, Akbar Birbal, and games like Krishna Jump, Fruit Chef, Ram the Yodha, and Cricket Premier League tournament.
Expanding the diversity of content formats, languages, genres, and reach, WAVES includes live channels such as Doordarshan, Akashvani, and various private channels spanning categories like news, general entertainment, music, devotional content, and sports.
Central Government Ministries and states are collaborating with Prasar Bharati to co-develop and contribute diverse content, including docudramas, dramatized or fictionalized shows, and reality shows with entertainment value, serving as effective vehicles for meaningful messages. Notable content includes a documentary on the 75th anniversary of the Supreme Court of India, the NFDC archives titled Cinemas of India, and rare archival content from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, featuring historical photos, journals, and publications. Contributions from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, IGNCA, Ministry of Culture, and India Post enrich WAVES with informative and entertaining programming.
The digital experience of WAVES blends Indian cultural ethos with a modern look and feel, offering a user-friendly interface, cross-platform compatibility, personalized profiles, and curated playlists, enhancing the streaming experience.
This launch represents a significant advancement not only for Prasar Bharati but also for digital media and OTT audiences, as it delivers a comprehensive infotainment ecosystem.
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