India’s Over-the-Top (OTT) sector has emerged as a major driver of the country’s soft power by enabling global access to Indian stories, creative talent, cultural heritage and independent filmmaking, the government informed Parliament on Wednesday.
According to industry estimates cited in the FICCI–EY Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2025, video subscription revenues grew by 11 per cent in 2024 to reach ₹9,200 crore. The number of users paying for streaming content on OTT platforms is estimated to be between 9.5 crore and 11.8 crore.
Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s digital platform, WAVES OTT, has further strengthened India’s cultural outreach by making the rich archives of Doordarshan and All India Radio accessible to audiences worldwide. The platform offers a wide range of regional arts, documentaries, classical music, literature-based programming and multilingual content.
WAVES OTT has also introduced a framework to support emerging filmmakers and creators by providing a technology-driven distribution platform to reach diverse global audiences.
The platform operates primarily as a subscription-free public service medium and does not follow a subscription-based revenue model. Advertising remains its main source of income, with a focus on democratising access to public broadcasting content across India and internationally.
Currently in a growth and expansion phase, WAVES OTT has witnessed a steady rise in its international user base. Revenue streams from overseas markets are being gradually developed through strategic partnerships.
User adoption has shown strong momentum, with more than 80 lakh downloads recorded in the first year of launch, reflecting increasing demand for multilingual Indian content and public service media on digital platforms.
The government also highlighted legal measures to curb piracy. The newly inserted Section 7(1B)(ii) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, amended in 2023, empowers the Central Government under Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 to take remedial action against intermediaries hosting pirated film content.
This information was provided by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
