New Delhi: Prasar Bharati, India’s national public broadcaster, officially launched its much-anticipated OTT platform Waves at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The launch event, graced by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Honourable Chief Minister of Goa, marked a pivotal moment in the Indian entertainment and media landscape.
Dr. Sawant expressed his enthusiasm about Waves, stating, “It is indeed a momentous occasion for the Indian entertainment industry with the launch of Waves OTT. I am very happy to see the diverse range of content on the platform, including a host of films and content across languages, including Konkani.”
Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized the role of Waves in furthering the government’s Digital India initiative. He said, “Waves OTT marks a significant step in the Indian government’s Digital India vision. The comprehensive, inclusive, and diverse OTT platform will bridge the digital media and entertainment divide, supported by its collaboration with BharatNet for last-mile connectivity to rural audiences.”
Waves enters the OTT market as a broad-reaching, aggregator platform that embraces Indian culture with a global perspective. Offering content in over 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, and more, the platform covers over 10 genres, such as infotainment, video-on-demand, free-to-play gaming, radio streaming, live TV, and educational content. Additionally, it features 65 live channels, app integrations, and collaborations with global players such as LionsGate, PTC, and Mud Games, among others.
Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, noted, “As part of our commitment to healthy family entertainment and showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage, Waves is designed as a one-stop information hub for millions of Indian households. It provides access to family entertainment, shopping, gaming, and news for all age groups, making it a bonanza for every viewer.”
At the event, Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, elaborated on Waves’ extensive content library, emphasizing its ability to cater to diverse audiences, from urban metro dwellers to middle India and NRIs. He said, “Waves brings clean, family-friendly content into every Indian home. We are also offering a platform for content creators like Kamiya Jani, RJ Raunac, Shraddha Sharma, and others. Our partnerships with film and media colleges like FTII and Annapurna also contribute to a strong creator ecosystem.”
In line with its commitment to promoting young talent, Waves features student grad films, including Roll No. 52, a short film by Annapurna Film and Media Studio. Other exclusive screenings at IFFI include Fauji 2.0, a modern remake of the classic 1980s TV show Fauji, Kicking Balls, an Oscar-winning film on child marriages, and Jackson Halt, a gripping crime thriller.
Waves also focuses on live events, with highlights such as the Prabhu Shriram Lalla Aarti live from Ayodhya and Mann Ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The platform will also stream the upcoming US Premier League Cricket Tournament starting November 22. To raise awareness on digital safety, Waves has launched a Cybersecurity awareness campaign, featuring programs such as Cyber Crime ki Duniya and Cyber Alert.
Additionally, Waves boasts a diverse range of films and series, including the fantasy action series Monkey King and award-winning films like Fouja, Armaan, and Bhed Bharam. It also offers women-centric content such as Corporate Sarpanch and Dashmi, along with popular animation shows like Chota Bheem and Akbar Birbal. The platform will continue to expand its content offerings across news, sports, music, devotional, and entertainment categories through live channels like Doordarshan and Akashvani.
In a move to support local businesses, Waves integrates e-commerce features in collaboration with ONDC and CSC-SPV, fostering MSMEs and local enterprises by promoting their products and services on the platform.
With its user-friendly interface, cross-platform compatibility, and personalized experience, Waves is set to redefine India’s OTT landscape by blending entertainment, education, shopping, and more into a single digital experience.
