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The Communiqué News

Prasar Bharati Launches WAVES OTT: A New OTT Platform at 55th International Film Festival of India 2024

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

Waves OTT is A new OTT launched by Prasar Bharati

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.






The fourth-largest OTT aggregator in India is thrilled to announce its collaboration

Innovation Meets Entertainment

Together, PlayboxTV and Disney+ Hotstar will redefine the content offerings.

With the launch of the brand-new World Cup Plan, PlayboxTV, the fourth-largest OTT aggregator in India, is excited to announce its partnership with Disney+ Hotstar. By providing consumers with an alluring combination of premium content, live streaming of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, and a plethora of fascinating services from Disney+ Hotstar, this alliance is poised to completely transform the entertainment industry.

PlayboxTV facilitates the process for customers to access TV and mobile app subscriptions through the PlayboxTV app. Through this collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar, PlayboxTV's customers can gain access to a world of exceptional content beyond the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. This association opens the doors to a rich tapestry of International and local entertainment, featuring an extensive library of movies, TV shows, and live sports extravaganzas like Pro Kabaddi League, English Premier League and more. Notably, Disney+ Hotstar stands as a prominent destination of both Indian and international content with an extensive library that includes Hotstar Specials, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Nat Geo, Hulu and Fox branded shows and movies, all available across 18 languages, promising an unparalleled entertainment experience for PlayboxTV users. "We are delighted to collaborate with PlayboxTV to bring the best-in-class and premium content of Disney+ Hotstar to their audience. This paves the way for a seamless and immersive streaming experience across the country for PlayboxTV users.

This collaboration opens the doors to a rich and unparalleled array of original content including entertainment, movies, TV shows, live sports, and international titles. We are glad that the PlayboxTV audience can now experience sheer entertainment with the freedom to indulge across a range of devices," said Gurjeev Singh Kapoor, Head - Distribution & International, Disney Star. Unveiling this new collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar, Aamir Mulani, Founder and CEO, of Playbox TV, says, "PlayboxTV is dedicated to transforming the entertainment experience, and our collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar underscores our dedication to offer premium International and local content at affordable rates to our customers. Cricket being a religion in India, this collaboration will help us to provide World Cup live streaming to millions of cricket fans." The PlayboxTV World Cup Plan offers a yearly subscription priced at INR 999. It grants users access to premium content from over 450+ live TV channels and 14 OTT platforms, including live streaming of the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

This subscription enables streaming on two screens or devices simultaneously, via the PlayboxTV mobile app or TV, with the flexibility to watch from anywhere at any time. PlayboxTV is a One-Stop destination, offering seamless access to live TV channels and OTT platforms without the need for multiple subscriptions. Users can access PlayboxTV easily with a single sign-in on various devices, including Mobile, Laptop, Ordinary TV, and Smart TV. The platform boasts a robust distribution network covering the entire country and has plans to further enhance it to reach a broader consumer base.






Rasika Dugal receives the SAFA Award at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival 2023.

Mumbai [India], September 27, 2023: Rasika Dugal, who is making waves internationally with her work, got a special award at The Chicago South Asian Film Festival 2023 (CSAFF) for her portrayal in 'Lord Curzon Ki Haveli'.


Pritish Bagdi

A global platform showcasing South Asian culture, talent, and viewpoints via cinema, art, and discussions, The CSAFF honored Rasika Dugal with a special honor for her notable contribution to 'Lord Curzon Ki Haveli'. She received the renowned SAFA Award while there, confirming her caliber as an artist.

Rasika Dugal's communiqué on receiving the award, "It's really an honor to be here today. The last time I came to Chicago was 12 years ago for the Chicago International Film Festival with a very independent film that we had shot over weekends or whenever we had money. It was the first time at that festival that my work was reviewed by critics. Fortunately, the reviews were glorious😀 and just reading those words about my work was so encouraging. So yes, Chicago has been very kind to me. I feel very fortunate that 12 years later, I am here again in the city for another festival with another independent film. I’m very proud that in my journey as an actor, I get to continue to do films that bring me here while also getting opportunities to do more mainstream work that actors like me now have access to (thanks to the streaming services). It is because of festivals like these, that artists like me are encouraged. Thank you to CSAFF for their curation and for respecting and nurturing our work”

'Lord Curzon Ki Haveli' is a black comedic thriller that has captivated audiences and garnered critical accolades on the festival circuit. It takes readers on an intriguing journey through the Asian diaspora in the United Kingdom, delving into topics of identity and gender within the context of an engrossing mystery. 'Lord Curzon Ki Haveli' has been picked as the closing night film for the Chicago South Asian International Film Festival.



What is the SAFA award?

South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) was founded in 1984 to serve the accounting profession in the South Asian region and to maintain its prominence in the accounting world




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