Mumbai: Eros Now, the cutting-edge digital over-the-top (OTT) South Asian entertainment platform owned by Eros International Plc (NYSE: EROS) (“Eros” or “the Company”), a Global Indian Entertainment Company, today announced its agreement with Vayam Technologies Limited to distribute the OTT platform across districts of Uttar Pradesh through its Common Service Centres (also known as Jan Seva Kendra). Eros Now will be part of Vayamtech’s Business to Customer (B2C) services that provide access to Village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs), hosted on their platform.
Eros Now’s availability at nearly 20,000 Common Service Centres, one of the largest government approved online service delivery channels, across 21 districts in Uttar Pradesh will enhance the reach of the leading online video streaming platform and shall cater to more than 2 million consumers in the rural areas of the above-mentioned state.
As per the Internet & Mobile Association of India’s (IAMAI) report, rural India houses 227 million active internet users, 10% more than urban India’s about 205 million, as of November 2019. The association, therefore, acts as a perfect distribution mechanism for Eros Now through Common Service Centres (multiple-services-single-window delivering Government & Private essential services) that will not only deepen Eros Now’s reach in the state but also aims to bring socio-economic upliftment in rural areas.
Vayam’s know-how & familiarity of working for people at the bottom of the pyramid extends across multiple states reaching millions of rural citizens. Adhaar Enrolment, Census and Surveys, e-district, CSCs, Facilitation Centres, Banking, Insurance, Product Delivery, etc. have facilitated in reaching out to 70% of the rural population residing in states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
Uttar Pradesh is certainly one of the biggest Hindi speaking markets and Eros Now’s massive content catalog comprising over 12,000 Bollywood movies, original shows, short-format content category Quickie, music, and more will offer the best of online entertainment experience.
Commenting on the deal, Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now said, “The alliance between Eros Now and Vayamtech is a result of our common belief in using the power of the internet to offer the best services to customers across India. The people of rural India are increasingly using the internet for their daily needs, and it has now become imperative for businesses to offer rural audiences with seamless access to services. Eros Now’s distribution through the Vayamtech network of common service centers will offer the massive audience base the best of online video streaming service.”
Jitendra Tiwari, Executive Director, Vayamtech added, “OTT platform’s across India are witnessing huge demand and adding Eros Now in Vayamtech’s services will result in revenue yielding for the brand by benefiting the customers with easy access to online entertainment. Uttar Pradesh is a massive market and our common service centers across 21 districts in the state is an ideal model for the delivery of the entertainment platform.”
