Best India OTT Platform and What they Offer
In India and other areas of the globe, OTT platforms/streaming services have exploded in popularity in recent years. It is nearing cable and satellite pay-position TV as the dominant medium. According to certain estimates, the video streaming service industry is expected to reach Rs 4,000 crore by the year 2025. According to this forecast, there might be as many as 29 crores of OTT platform users in India by July 2020. However, what exactly is an OTT platform? What is the abbreviation for OTT? Is there a fee for using OTT media services? What are India’s finest OTT platforms? These are a few of the things we’ve attempted to address in this article. To learn more, keep reading.
OTT platform in its entirety
An OTT service is a media service that offers video content like TV episodes and movies through an app or website over the internet rather than conventional distribution networks like cable and DTH. Though they began as content hosting platforms, the over-the-top (OTT) companies quickly expanded their offerings to include original content.
Of course, you’ll need an internet connection and appropriate gear to watch the video, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, or smart TVs. Instead of relying on a schedule or waiting for their favorite programs and movies to appear, OTT content may be streamed at any time through these platforms. That’s why OTT is becoming the leader of the industry.
The term “over-the-top” (OTT) should not be mixed with the term “video-on-demand.” If you don’t want to use the internet to stream videos, you may also use the other option. Downloaded files and even DVR recordings are examples of VOD. However, there is a distinct difference between OTT (over-the-top) and traditional media.
India’s best OTT applications and platforms
If you’re not aware of OTT services in India, choosing the ideal one for you might be difficult. There are several factors to consider while choosing an OTT platform. For example, Netflix and Amazon Prime provide some of the greatest original series and movies, while Sony Liv has a wide selection of TV shows, movies, and sports. In addition, you may get restricted content on Voot, MX Player, Zee5, and other OTT services in India. If you’re in India and looking for some of the best OTT platforms currently accessible, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10. Check it out:
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Disney+ Hotstar
In India, Hotstar and Disney are the two most prominent OTT platforms. Movies, TV programs, online series, sports, children’s programming, and news are all available on the streaming service Walt Disney currently owns. In addition, there are a lot of Disney animated movies and series included in the service since the Walt Disney Company owns it.
Disney+ Hotstar supports both iOS and Android devices and PCs and smart TVs. However, you must subscribe to one of the OTT platform’s plans to access its content. There are two options for a Disney+ Hotstar subscription: VIP and Premium, which start at Rs 299. The OTT media service’s content, including original Disney films and OTT releases, maybe streamed with the Premium membership.
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Netflix
There isn’t much to say about Netflix. The American over-the-top video platform produced Sacred Games, The Queen’s Gambit, Stranger Things, and a slew of other highly-watched original episodes and movies. It is possible to subscribe to Netflix for as little as Rs 199 a month, including Mobile, Basic, Standard, and Premium subscriptions. In India, the Netflix plans change in the quality and the number of simultaneous viewers, but the content selection stays the same. Netflix works on mobile phones, streaming devices, smart TVs, tablets, and PCs, like Disney+ Hotstar. In addition, Netflix has the advantage of being ad-free, which is a big plus.
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Amazon Prime Video
The Amazon Prime membership comes with a free subscription to Amazon Prime Video and unlimited free and fast shipping, special offers and discounts, and access to e-books, among other perks. Prime Videos’ original web series, such as Mirzapur, The Family Man, Tandav, Paatal Lok, and One-Mic Stand, have become popular in India because of the OTT platform.
Internationally recognized television and film productions, regional fare, Bollywood fare, family-friendly fare, and classic television series have all been produced here. Prime Video is now accessible in six more Indian languages besides English. A 12-month Amazon Prime membership costs Rs 129, while a 12-month subscription costs Rs 999.
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Zee5
In India, Zee5 is also famous. The Essel Group owns an in-house video streaming service, which provides a combination of originals, programs, music, and movies in 12 languages and a specialized library of high-quality material for Indian customers. ALTBalaji’s original series and movies are accessible for free on Zee5 due to its collaboration with the network. Moreover, plans for the streaming service begin at only Rs 99 a month, making it an affordable option for the average consumer.
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Sony Liv
Sony Entertainment Network channels such as Sony TV, Sony SAB, Sony Ten, Sony Max, Sony Max 2, Sony Six, Sony Pix, and Sony Yay have produced over 18 years of programming for Sony Liv, including TMKOC and The Kapil Sharma Show. In addition, wrestling, European football, La Liga, the Champions League, and other live athletic events are also available through the OTT platform in India, including the WWE. According to the company, it is also a subscription-based service, with rates beginning at as little as Rs 199 per month in India.
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Voot
Viacom18, the parent company of various Indian television networks, including Colors and several film production companies, owns this powerful OTT platform in India. Like Sony Liv, Voot combines all of these programs in one place. The Viacom18 app and website let you watch your favorite series and movies whenever and wherever you want. Voot used to be a free streaming service, but the company has now announced Rs 99 per month and Rs 999 per year.
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AltBalaji
Indian OTT portal AltBalaji has also made a name for itself. Web series and movies, usually 18+, are available in Hindi and various regional languages, including Bengali and Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil. For Rs 100, Rs 180, and Rs 300, respectively, you may subscribe to AltBalaji for three months, six months, or a year.
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JioCinema
It is an over-the-top (OTT) service provided by Mukesh Ambani’s Jio, a telecom. There are no extra fees for using the platform, which is solely available to Jio customers. Movies, TV series, Jio exclusives, documentaries, and trailers are all part of the JioCinema library. Recent collaborations between Jio and Disney India include streaming iconic Disney films such as Toy Story 3, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, and others.
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MX Player
From a simple video player, MX Player has evolved into an all-in-one media player. It’s currently one of India’s top OTT services. Users may access syndicated material with MX Player’s content. However, some adverts interrupt your viewing experience when you use the free streaming service despite being free of charge.
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YouTube Premium
However, it’s not well known that the video streaming service YouTube has its original shows. Those who subscribe to YouTube Premium, which costs Rs 129 per month or Rs 399 for three months, get access to these shows. This is meant for one person. Students and families with up to five members are also included in the plans. While the family plan is priced at Rs 189 per month, the latter costs Rs 79 a month. There are no adverts to view, and YouTube Music is included with the Premium subscription.
The rise of over-the-top (OTT) applications
COVID-19’s shutdown resulted in a dramatic surge in internet content consumption. Before this, the OTT market in India was a small one. Several moviegoers turned to OTT services to fill their time while movie theatres were closed. They were even able to cut down on their losses by releasing their movies via streaming sites.
Last year, the term “OTT release” gained common parlance for movies. Because movie theatres are again able to function at full capacity, the number of OTT releases may decline somewhat in 2019. Even if this shouldn’t have a major impact on the revenue of OTT platforms, it will undoubtedly detract from the number of people who choose to view movies at the theatre.
FAQs about OTT (over-the-top) services
What is the best way to get access to OTT platforms?
If you have an internet-enabled device, an OTT platform may be accessible via an app or a website. Streaming content from these sites is possible as long as you have an internet connection.
Is there a fee for OTT platforms, and do they need a login?
The majority of over-the-top (OTT) services charge a subscription fee and require users to sign in before accessing their content. For the first month, several OTT streaming providers offer a free trial that allows you to view content. After that, if you want to keep using the service, you’ll have to pay a monthly cost that will be automatically debited from your credit card. However, Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide free subscriptions to most OTT services in India, so there’s no need to worry.
Which OTT platform is the least expensive in India?
Zee5 is the cheapest among the top Indian OTT services. On the heels of this, Sony Liv and Disney+ Hotstar VIP will stream on Hotstar subscribers.
How are OTT platforms able to earn money?
Subscriptions are the most important source of revenue for OTT providers like Netflix. Some OTT providers also generate money via adverts and downloads. OTT platforms frequently have a negative cash flow, even though they seem to be making a lot of money. As a way to draw in customers, they must purchase third-party productions’ content.
In India, who governs OTT?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT) was established last year to oversee video-streaming OTT services. As a result, those platforms are claimed to be monitored by the ministry. In addition, it is expected that the OTT platforms will have to seek certification and clearance from the government for the content they intend to broadcast.
