Prasar Bharati Launches WAVES OTT Platform at IFFI 2024, Pioneering Family Entertainment for All

Goa, 2024: Prasar Bharati launched its Over-The-Top (OTT) platform, WAVES, at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Addressing the press during the event, Shri Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, emphasized the national broadcaster’s commitment to providing clean, family-friendly entertainment that caters to diverse audiences across India.

“As a national broadcaster, it is our duty to make clean family entertainment accessible to all sections of society,” said Sehgal. He noted that the need for a dedicated OTT platform was increasingly felt, leading to the launch of WAVES. “In addition to news and current affairs, we must also offer a variety of content, including games, to serve the citizens,” he added. He highlighted that WAVES will not only provide entertainment but also showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and history. Most content on the platform will be free to access, with only a few premium offerings requiring payment, he informed the media.

Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of the public broadcaster’s presence across all platforms to make information and entertainment available to audiences across the vast nation. “This platform will be immensely valuable for people who have moved away from their roots but still wish to stay connected with their culture,” he explained.

WAVES OTT will feature exclusive content such as ‘Fauji 2.0’, a modern adaptation of the iconic 1980s show starring Shah Rukh Khan. The press conference featured key figures involved in the show, including producer Sandeep Singh and lead actors Gauhar Khan and Vicky Jain. Actor Gauhar Khan shared, “Fauji 2.0 showcases the lives of individuals who represent and protect India.” Vicky Jain praised Doordarshan’s long-standing legacy, noting that DD has become a cherished platform for families, especially during the pandemic. “Shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat have been staples for many of us, and DD has always catered to those who lack access to cable TV,” he said.

Sandeep Singh, the renowned producer behind films like Mary Kom, Aligarh, and Sarabjit, expressed his honor at having Fauji 2.0 showcased on the platform. “It is a privilege to have our work presented on Doordarshan,” he added.

Another major attraction on WAVES is ‘Kakbhushundi Ramayana’, a new original show aired on DD National, which will also be available on the OTT platform. Shri Shiv Sagar, grandson of the legendary film director Ramanand Sagar, who is behind the series, shared his insights into the making of the show. He revealed that more than 350 versions of the Ramayana from around the world were researched to create Kakbhushundi Ramayana, which promises to captivate young viewers with its fresh portrayal of the epic. “We have taken the best stories and presented them in a new light,” he said, emphasizing that WAVES OTT is the perfect platform to showcase India’s rich historical content.

The launch of WAVES marks Prasar Bharati’s foray into the booming digital streaming industry, offering a unique blend of classic content and contemporary programming. The platform aims to cater to a wide demographic by offering content in over 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and more. It will feature more than 65 live channels, video on demand, radio streaming, free-to-play games, and live TV streaming, with an additional e-commerce integration through Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

WAVES is positioned to be a large aggregator of content with an inclusive approach, showcasing Indian culture through an international lens. With offerings across 10+ genres, the platform will bring infotainment to viewers, offering a comprehensive entertainment experience that spans generations and languages.

With the launch of WAVES, Prasar Bharati reaffirms its commitment to reaching a broad audience while staying true to its roots of delivering informative, culturally enriching, and entertaining content to all of India.