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Gone are the days when watching content was restricted to television only through broadcast networks. We live in an age of technology and internet-enabled devices. The Internet has touched human life in various ways. The growing popularity of OTT platforms has proved that entertainment has entered a new era and information can be disseminated in multiple ways. Artificial Intelligence is used to take advantage of the content.
What is OTT Platform?
Over the top platforms have become very successful and popular in recent times. Any streaming service provider that delivers content using the Internet is called an OTT platform. In earlier times, the cable TV provider used to take the responsibility of providing the programs to the users. In the modern era, this process has changed a lot due to the advancement in technology. Users can easily sign-up for services like Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ etc. and enjoy content via the Internet. A stable internet connection is a prerequisite to take advantage of the content.
How OTT Platform Started in India?
BigFlix was the first OTT platform in India which was launched by Reliance Entertainment in the year 2008. As a result, the platform gained popularity in the year 2013 when users saw the launch of SonyLIv and Ditto TV (Zee). However, the year 2015 saw the launch of Disney Hotstar. It has become the most popular platform in recent times. Netflix started its operations in India in the year 2016. Netflix is a popular platform across the globe, promising over the top services. It is facing stiff competition from Amazon Prime and Disney Hotstar.
Top 10 OTT Platforms in India:
Here is the list of best OTT platforms in India:
1. Disney Hotstar:
Disney+ Hotstar is an Indian video streaming service provider owned by Star India. It is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company India. This includes two paid subscription plans; "VIP" which focuses on domestic programs and sports content, "Premium" which shows international movies and TV series.
The platform has at least 300 million active users as of March 2020 data. The VIP plan costs INR 399 per year and Premium costs INR 1499 per year or the user can avail a monthly plan of INR 299. Indian recent movies released channels are DilBechara Hai, Sadak 2, Lootcase while English movies like Bad Education, Secretariat, Kingsman are top in demand on the platform. The platform has 26.8 million paid customers who account for a 30% stake on the global front.
2. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is an American OTT platform that provides users with movies and TV series produced by Amazon Studios. It also hosts programs and content from other providers, sports equipment, etc.
Users can avail the content for as low as INR 129 per month or INR 999 annual subscription plan. The platform also offers a 30-day free trial which is subject to Amazon Prime sign-up. One Night in Miami, Sylvie's Love, Uncle Frank are some of the best Hollywood movies to watch on stage. Bollywood movies like Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Gangs of Wasseypur, Thappad are worth watching.
Amazon Prime has 10 million users in India. Amazon Prime has a record growth sale in India in the year 2020. Amazon does not disclose with country-wise growth statistics.
3. Netflix
Netflix Inc. is an American OTT headquartered in California. It was established in 1997. The company's core business is subscription-based streaming services. Since 2012, the company has offered content through its online library.
Netflix is one of the video streaming services in India, which offers various flexible plans like mobile, basic, standard and premium plans. The mobile plan costs ₹199 and you can watch it on a phone or tablet in one go. You can buy a basic plan for ₹ 499 and watch videos on any device like phone, tablet, computer or TV. The Standard plan costs ₹649, and offers simultaneous access to 2 devices at once. Using the ₹799 premium plan, you can watch videos on 4 devices at the same time. Some of the best movies to watch on Netflix are Arrival, The Irishman, The Two Pops, Haider, On Body and Soul, Shoplifters, etc.
Netflix has 4.6 million paid subscribers in India as of 2020 reports. In 2020, the company's operating income was $1.2 billion. Operating revenue shows a jump of Rs 924 in FY20.
4.Aha:
Aha is an Indian OTT platform owned by Arhaa Media & Broadcasting Pvt Ltd which is a joint venture of Geeta Arts and My Home Group. It provides telugu content. It was launched in the year 2020. They offer ad-free content and viewing facilities as the company believes that nothing should come between the audience and the entertainment between the shows
5. Voot
Voot is owned by Viacom18. It is the full form of an Indian OTT platform, which has seen its existence in the Indian market since the year 2016. It is available in languages like Hindi, English, Tamil, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada. Its headquarter is in Mumbai. Watching favorite TV shows and movies was never this easy
The premium content of the platform can be availed for only INR 99 per month and INR 999 per year. Some free-ad support can be found by users as it is still not a fully paid-for platform. Some of the best Voot movies are BajraoMastani, Main Hoon Na, Queen etc.
It reports having 100 million active users monthly.
6. Alt Balaji
ALTBalaji is an Indian subscription OTT platform. It is owned by Balaji Telefilms Limited. It was launched in the year 2017. The company entered the digital entertainment space by creating original OTT content.
The alt Balaji subscription offer of Rs 43 for 1 month (single screen) and Rs 300 for 12 months (single screen) is attractive. There is a free trial period of 7 days. There are many new web series on the platform which are worth watching. Some of the best movies to watch are Mentalhood, Bichu, Moksh Se Maya, etc.
The platform is reported to have around 34 million paid users. ALTBalaji witnessed a revenue growth of INR 20 Crores in FY20.
7. Sonyliv
SonyLiv is an Indian OTT platform owned by Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. Its headquarter is in Mumbai. It was established in the year 2013. It is available in Hindi, English and many regional languages of India. Some of the content available on the Platform may be accessed without registration. The free service is ad-supported while the premium or paid service is ad-free.
The platform has an active user subscription of 70-80 million monthly and paid 14-20 million.
8. ZEE5
ZEE5 is an Indian Video On Demand OTT platform owned by Essel Group through its subsidiary Zee Entertainment Enterprises. It was established in 2018 in 12 languages and is a leading streaming platform in India. The platform is easy to access through its app which is available in Android, iOS, Web and Smart TVs. It is equipped with great content in the form of TV shows, web series, movies and sports. This platform provides both free and paid services to the users.
The platform has 76.4 million active users per month. As per the latest reports, the OTT platform has registered a revenue growth of 2.3% year on year.
9. Sun NXT
Sun NXT is an Indian OTT platform run by Sun TV Network. It was established in the year 2017 and started in 4 languages Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil. Bengali content was also added to the network in 2019. Its headquarter is in Chennai, India.
It has 20-25 million users. Sun NXT Coupon Codes are available online. Offers and promo codes are also mentioned online.
10. Eros Now
Eros Now is an Indian OTT platform that was established in the year 2012. It is controlled and owned by Eros International. Its headquarter is in Mumbai. Users can enjoy unlimited movies, TV shows, Eros Originals and songs.
The platform has 18.8 million paid users and 155 million active users. The growth of subscribers is reported to be 65% in 2020 and the figures have reached 26.2 million. A 57.3% revenue growth has been recorded in 2020 due to the pandemic as people are stuck at home and their digital experience has seen a huge boost.
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