Prasar Bharati Launches WAVES OTT Platform, Blending India’s Heritage with Digital Innovation

India’s National public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, unveiled its new WAVES OTT platform during the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 20, 2024. The event was inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, with Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), in attendance.

Doordarshan, a celebrated part of India’s broadcasting history, has now entered the OTT space to cater to the increasing demand for digital streaming. According to a statement from the I&B Ministry, WAVES is a key initiative under the Viksit Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and marks a significant step in the Digital India campaign. It draws from the rich legacies of Akashvani and Doordarshan, offering iconic shows and films that merge India’s cultural essence with contemporary programming.

The platform is positioned as an aggregator OTT service and seeks to showcase Indian stories through a global lens. WAVES supports over 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Assamese. The content spans more than 10 genres of infotainment, reflecting a blend of tradition and modernity. It offers various features such as video-on-demand, free-to-play games, podcasts, audiobooks, journals, radio and live TV streaming, and integrated app-in-app services for gaming and video content.

In addition to streaming, WAVES integrates an e-commerce segment backed by the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), aiming to promote micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and local businesses. BharatNet ensures the platform reaches rural audiences, enabling widespread accessibility.

The content library of WAVES is a treasure trove of Indian classics, featuring timeless favorites like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktimaan, Hum Log, and Fauji 2.0, a refreshed version of Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic television show Fauji. It offers diverse programming that includes news, regional shows, documentaries, and cultural content. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly address, Mann ki Baat, will also stream on the platform. Additionally, WAVES plans to host a cybersecurity awareness campaign in collaboration with CDAC and MeitY, which will feature programs such as Cyber Crime ki Duniya and Cyber Alert by DD News.

WAVES is also focused on nurturing talent in India’s growing digital economy. The platform will collaborate with national creators, including awardees such as Kamiya Jani, RJ Raunac, and Shraddha Sharma. It is also open to student projects from prominent film and media institutions like FTII, Annapurna, and AAFT, providing a stage for emerging creators to showcase their work.

Central government ministries and various states are partnering with Prasar Bharati to produce a variety of engaging content for WAVES. This includes docudramas, dramatized series, and reality shows that serve as mediums for impactful storytelling. Among the highlights are a documentary commemorating the Supreme Court of India’s 75th anniversary, the Cinemas of India archive by NFDC, and rare materials from the I&B Ministry, such as historic photographs and journals. Other contributors include the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, IGNCA, Ministry of Culture, and India Post, ensuring a wide array of informative and entertaining content.

With a sleek interface, cross-platform compatibility, personalized user profiles, and curated playlists, WAVES delivers a modern streaming experience. The app is available on both Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store, making it accessible to users across devices.

Looking ahead, the Government of India is preparing to host the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) from February 5 to 9, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This event is expected to bolster India’s Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry while expanding its global footprint.

During a promotional roadshow at Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University in Hyderabad, I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju emphasized that WAVES would be the first global summit to address the entire spectrum of the M&E industry. He stated, “The OTT WAVES initiative in India aims to foster collaboration between the M&E industry and technology, serving as a premier platform for dialogue, innovation, and trade partnerships.” Jaju highlighted that the summit would unite industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to tackle challenges, explore new opportunities, and shape the future of India’s dynamic M&E sector.