Prasar Bharati, India’s state-owned public broadcaster, launched its over-the-top (OTT) platform WAVES on November 21, 2024, marking a significant expansion into digital streaming. The launch coincided with World Television Day and was announced during the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the platform alongside dignitaries such as Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of Information & Broadcasting, and Shri Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati.
WAVES OTT Platform Features
WAVES combines nostalgia with modern digital trends, offering classic and contemporary programming in over 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Assamese, across more than 10 infotainment genres.
Key Features:
- Video on demand
- Free-to-play gaming
- Live TV streaming with 65 live channels
- Radio streaming
- App integrations for video and gaming content
- Online shopping via Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
WAVES supports young creators by featuring content from National Creator Awardees such as Kamiya Jani, RJ Raunac, and Shraddha Sharma. Additionally, the platform highlights student films from premier film and media colleges like FTII and Annapurna.
Content and Events on WAVES
To align with IFFI’s focus on young filmmakers, WAVES includes:
- Roll No. 52: A student project from Annapurna Film and Media Studio.
- Fauji 2.0: A modern adaptation of the iconic 1980s Shah Rukh Khan series.
- Kicking Balls: Produced by Oscar-winning Guneet Monga Kapoor.
- Jackson Halt: A crime thriller.
- Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge: Focused on mobile toilets.
WAVES also streams live events, including Prabhu Shriram Lalla Aarti from Ayodhya, Mann Ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the US Premier League Cricket Tournament starting November 22, 2024. A Cybersecurity awareness campaign in collaboration with CDAC and MeitY is also part of the platform’s offerings.
Diverse Content on WAVES
WAVES caters to a wide audience with its content, including:
- Monkey King: The Hero is Back: A fantasy action series.
- Fouja: A national award-winning feature.
- Bhed Bharam: A thriller by Vipul Shah.
- Thode Door Thode Paas: A family drama starring Pankaj Kapoor.
- Bharat Ka Amrit Kalash: A music reality show by Kailash Kher.
- Women-centric films such as Corporate Sarpanch, Dashmi, and Kariathi.
- Popular animation shows like Chota Bheem, Akbar Birbal, and Doggy Adventure.
The platform also streams live channels from Doordarshan, Akashvani, and private broadcasters covering categories such as news, general entertainment, music, devotional, and sports.
Government Collaboration and Special Programming
Prasar Bharati collaborates with government ministries and states to deliver meaningful content such as:
- A documentary marking 75 years of the Supreme Court of India.
- Cinemas of India: A project by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
- Archival content from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, among others.
Pricing and Availability
The WAVES app is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. While most content is free, premium content is available through subscription plans:
Platinum (Rs. 999/year)
- 1080P streaming
- Access on 4 devices
- Downloads, live TV, radio, background play
- 10% discount on TVODs
Diamond (Rs. 350/year, Rs. 85 for 3 months, Rs. 30/month)
- 720P streaming
- Access on 2 devices
- No discounts on TVODs
Gold (Rs. 350/year, Rs. 85 for 3 months, Rs. 30/month)
- 480P streaming
- Access on 1 device
- No downloads or TVOD discounts
Subscriptions can be purchased via the official website, wavespb.com, as in-app payments are not yet supported.
Speaking about the importance of a multi-platform presence, Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, said,
The public broadcaster must be accessible across all platforms to ensure information and content reach audiences throughout our vast country.” He added that this medium will be particularly valuable for people who have moved away from their roots but still wish to stay connected with their culture.