First of all you need to know the OTT stands for “Over-the-top”. Since last few years Over-the-top (OTT) platform have become quite popular in India. OTT platform plays a vital role in our lives today than ever before. After the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an exponential rise in online streaming trends and the demand for the over the top (OTT) and high quality videos have become the key part of everyone’s lives. Major OTT platforms in India, including Netflix, Hoststar, Amazon Prime, etc. were governed by self-regulatory bodies. But, in 2020, the Government of India has moved these Over-The-Top platforms under the administration of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Anyone with a paid subscription can register themselves and get unlimited access to the media and entertainment sources available on the various platforms.
What is an OTT platform?
An Over-the-top media service is a streaming media service offered directly to viewers through the internet. In previous year, a consumer would take out a cable subscription and cable provider would be responsible for the supply and availability of the program. In modern era, users can sign up for their subscription on Netflix or Sony liv and access their offering over the internet. The cable provider now only provides the internet connection and has no ability to control what you consume. This separation has big difference between OTT and cable subscription. Streaming across different devices whenever we want is possible because of ‘Over-the-top’. In simple language that explains the new delivery method of film and TV content over the internet without need for traditional broadcast or cable. We were only paying for an internet provider to watch Netflix or Amazon prime videos. It played an essential role in the information revolution and development. Anyone with a paid subscription can register themselves and get unlimited access to the media and entertainment sources available on the various platforms.
How OTT is delivered?
The accessibility of OTT content it’s so popular because of one reason. To stream OTT, customers only require a high speed internet connection. Smartphones and tablets are able to download OTT apps to stream on-the go. These media services can easily be accessed through mobile phones, laptops, smart TV, and other audio-visual devices with an internet connection. In OTT channels, Content is delivered through via internet connection rather than cable TV provider.
How did OTT platform start in India?
Bigfix was the first OTT platform in India that was launched in the year 2008 by reliance entertainment. This platform is quite popular in the year 2013 when Sony liv and Ditto TV (Zee) was launched. After sometime Disney hotstar lunched in the year 2015 it become most popular platform in present times. In the year 2016 Netflix also started its operation in India which is most popular platform in worldwide. One of the biggest boosts that the OTT platforms achieved was during the pandemic period of Covid-19. Many filmmakers are now releasing their movies on major OTT platforms, instead of waiting for the theatres to re-open. India has lots of options when we talk about OTT services.
10 Best OTT Platforms in India
1. Disney Hotstar
Disney hotstar is an Indian OTT streaming service provider that is owned by Star India. Disney hotstar is one of the popular OTT platform started in India by star cast and which give the tough competition to other international OTT platforms. It involves two paid subscription plans; one is “VIP” which provides domestic programmes and sports content (including Indian premier league cricket), and second is “Premium” featuring premium international films and television series (including HBO, ShowTime and other American original series). The platform Disney+ Hotstar has added 2.6 million paid subscribers in the first quarter ended 1st January 2022 to take its total base to 45.9 million.Subscription Plans: Hotstar has both yearly and monthly plans, Rs 499 is mobile plan supports one device and Rs 899 is super plan support 2 device and 1499 is a premium plan support 4 device at a time. Users can also avail monthly plan Rs 299. The benefits of each of them are different.
2. Amazon prime video
Amazon prime video is an American OTT platform that provides the users with films and TV series produced by Amazon studios. Amazon prime video is a very popular video streaming service or OTT service in India. Amazon prime video was launched in 2016 in the country and services are available in different countries of the world. It has huge collection of movies, reality shows, stand-up comedy specials and web series etc. Smartphones, laptops, tablet and smart TV are the popular medium for watching the content. The users can enjoy Hollywood and Bollywood or TV shows and Amazon originals. Amazon prime video has 10 million users in India. Subscription Plans: Amazon prime video provided monthly subscription at a very low price as INR 179 or INR 1499 yearly subscription plan. Prime subscription presently also includes free Amazon music alongside unlimited free, quick delivery.
3. Netflix
Netflix was launched in India in 2016 and came in India in 2018 and give competition with other OTT platform. Netflix is one of the most popular OTT platforms in India, offering various flexible plans like mobile, basic, standard and premium plans. Netflix now forecasts to add just 2.5 million subscribers in Q1 2022. It is among the Top 10 OTT platforms in India because of the amazing quality of the content it provides. You can watch as much as you want and whenever you on Netflix. Netflix always provide you a something new to discover, interesting web series and TV shows. Netflix facing a tough competition with other OTT platform in India such as amazon prime, voot, Disney hotstar etc. Subscription plans: Basic plan INR 199 and watch the videos on any device mobile, tablet, laptops or in computer. Standard plan price is INR 499 and allows you to access 2 device at a time. Premium plan price is INR 649 and you can watch videos on 4 devices at a same time. Mobile plan cost is only INR 149 and allows you to watch either on phone or in tablet.
4. Zee5
In 2013 Zee entertainment launched its first OTT platform was DittoTV. Initially, Ditto TV had shown from many channels, like a Star, Sony, Zee, etc. So in a year 2018 DittoTV dissolved and created its OTT platform called Zee5. It was available in 12 languages and is a premier streaming platform in India. Zee5 only provided a Zee TV shows. It has 1000+ movies and 100+ live TV channels. ZEE5 is the online video streaming Over-The-Top (OTT) platform from the ZEE Network. It has many original movies and web series and shows. The platform is easy to access through its app that is available on Android, iOS, Web, and Smart TV. The platform provides both free and paid services to the users. The platform has 48.11 million active users per month. Subscription Plans: Zee5 has a subscription pack that allows you to stream your favourite content. The premium plan cost INR 499 for 12 months and you can access all your favourite shows and movies and you can access 3 screens at a time. With the Rs 299 plan, you get to watch on 2 screens at a time for a validity of three months.
5. Sony Liv
Sony Liv is an Indian OTT platform that is launched by Sony pictures networks India Pvt. Ltd. It was founded in the year of 2013 and it is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Sony Liv is India’s own OTT platform that has lot of popular shows on its platform like kaun banega crorepati, Indian idol, Taarak Mehta ka ooltah chashmah, the kapil sharma showand Crime petrol etc. Sony Liv’s Library consists of 18 years of content from the Sony Entertainment Network channels in India: Sony TV, Sony SAB, Sony Ten, Sony Max, Sony MAX 2, Sony PIX and Sony Six. Sony Liv was available in many languages hindi, English and many regional languages in India. Some of the content is available on the platform without taking subscription. The platform has an active user subscription of 70-80 million monthly and 14-20 million paid. Subscription Plans: Sony Liv subscription plan cost Rs 299 for per month subscription and Rs 699 for 6 months and for Rs 999 for yearly subscription. It is featured in the Top 10 OTT platforms in India because of the exclusive content related to sony TV.
6. Jio Cinema
Jio cinema is an Indian OTT platform introduced by Reliance Group. It was launched in a year 2016. Jio cinema has also gained popularity as Amazon prime or Netflix. It is an exclusive platform for Jio users because without any additional charges you can watch Jio cinema, it is bundled with almost all of Jio’s post-paid and prepaid plans. This platform is only for Jio users. Other sim users cannot use this platform. Jio cinema was available in variety of languages. You can simply access Jio cinema app in your Android phones and tablet. Now you can enjoy Jio cinema entertainment on big screens like computer, laptops and smart TV. Jio cinema video streaming platform publishes movies, TV shows, Documentaries and Jio exclusives. Jio cinema app is free to download and the service is available with your same Jio plan. Jio Cinema online provides you a variety of content in one place.
7. Voot
Voot is launched by Viacom 18 Television Company in 2016. Voot is one of the most popular Indian OTT platforms in India. It is available in many languages like Hindi, English, Marathi, kannada , Guajarati, Tamil, Bengali. Big boss fans just love voot. On voot, you can see color’s TV serials, VH1, Nickelodeon and MTV all shows like Roadies, Spitsvilla, etc. Some content on this platform are free for voot users. In February 2020, Voot introduces paid subscription service called Voot Select. It reports having 100 million active users monthly. Voot is quite popular and most used app because of its price, it can affordable for the people who want to use voot app its only Rs 299 for per year. Voot has one of the most user-friendly interfaces. They also have loads of original content on their media. The best part is you can stream the HD content without ads and have access to international shows. You can freely download Voot app and easily access on your smartphones, tablets and laptops.
8. MX Player
MX player is free video streaming OTT platform developed by MX Media & Entertainment. On 20 February 2019, MX Player was launched as an OTT platform with original programming. All the content on MX player is free of cost. MX player has their original shows and movies too. MX player was available in 15+ languages. MX player has also their original movies and shows too. Currently, there are 300 million-plus users on MX player. MX player provided many TV serials and shows from all the TV channels.
9. ALT Balaji
ALT Balaji is an Indian OTT platform which is launched by Balaji telefilms Ltd. It was founded in the year of 2017. This platform is famous for its original content. This platform gives you the 7 days free trial period. There are many shows and web series on this platform which interesting. The platform is reported to have around 34 million paid users. ALT Balaji have lower price subscription which can affordable for their users. ALT Balaji subscription plans are Rs 100 for 2 months where you can access only single screen and Rs 199 for 6 months and Rs 300 for 12 months.
10. Airtel Xstream
In today’s world OTT platform are very popular and people like very much for their entertainment. So now everyone want to earn money form this platform. So Airtel has also launched its Xstream premium service plan. Airtel says that this plan will provide users with content of more than 15 OTT subscriptions and that too at a very affordable price. Users will be able to watch the content of Airtel Xstream Premium on any laptop, tablet and smartphone and that too for just Rs 149 per month. Airtel Xstream users will get everything from live channels TV shows and movies. This platform gives the benefit to airtel sim users on same price. Xstream was Airtel’s free online video streaming service. Airtel users will be able to use the service.
