Platforms for over-the-top media services (OTT) had already grown in popularity in India during the past several years. An internet streaming service that is made available directly to viewers over the internet is known as an over-the-top (OTT) media service. The companies that often serve as a controller or distributors of this content are bypassed by OTT, including cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms. Many filmmakers are now publishing their films on significant OTT platforms rather than waiting for the theatres to reopen as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in the nation. When it comes to OTT services, India has a wide range of choices.
Top 10 OTT Platforms
1. Disney+ Hotstar
Disney+ Owned by Novi Digital Entertainment, a division of Disney’s Star India, Hotstar is an Indian over-the-top streaming service. It offers two paid membership plans: “VIP,” which emphasizes domestic programming and sports material, such as cricket from the Indian Premier League, and “Premium,” which offers high-end foreign movies and television shows like HBO, Showtime, and other American-produced series. Due to its affordable prices and extensive content library, Disney+ Hotstar is one of the Top 10 OTT platforms in India. The above three plans cost Rs 499 for mobile, Rs 899 for super, and Rs 1,499 for premium. They all have a one-year duration, but the advantages of each one vary.
With the mobile package, you can only stream Disney+ Hotstar on one device at a time in 720p video and stereo audio. With this subscription, you can only watch on a mobile device. The Mega Plan allows the simultaneous use of two devices and Dolby 5.1 audio. With this package, you can receive 1080p video quality. The most costly Premium package will let you sign in to up to four devices simultaneously. The plan also offers Dolby 5.1 surround sound and 4K video resolution.
2. Amazon Prime Video
In India, one of the most well-liked OTT services is Amazon Prime Video. Since the day it debuted in 2016, Amazon Prime Video has consistently been among India’s Top 10 OTT platforms. As of December 2018, Amazon Prime is accessible in six Indian languages in addition to English. In February 2018, Amazon India introduced Amazon Prime Music.
Currently, a Prime membership also offers limitless free, fast delivery and free Amazon music. You will have to pay Rs. 14,99 for an Amazon Prime membership per year. The price for a monthly plan has increased to Rs 179. You must now pay Rs 459 for the three-month package.
3. Voot
Another video-on-demand (OTT) site is Voot, which is a part of Viacom18 Digital Investments, Viacom18’s digital division. The material spans over 35,000 hours and includes Colors (Hindi), MTV, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Colors Kannada, Colors Marathi, Colors Bangla, Colors Super, and Colors Gujarati for viewers with a wide range of options and tastes.
One may enjoy Voot Originals, the newest global shows, streaming channels, an ad-free experience, and 24 hours before-TV premieres of Colors and MTV content with the premium subscription Voot Select. With certain content, it can also be used for free, although there is advertising. It only offers one plan, which has an annual fee of Rs 299 as part of an offer. However, the annual cost is Rs 999.
4. Netflix
One of the most used streaming services in India is Netflix. The OTT platform offers the Mobile, Basic, Standard, and Premium subscription tiers. The monthly cost of the mobile plan with 480p streaming is Rs 199. You may use a tablet or a phone to stream Netflix thanks to it. The cost of the mobile-only package is Rs 149. The cost of the Basic package is Rs 199. These two both support SD playback. Costing Rs 499, the Standard package includes HD playback. For Rs 649, you may get the paid version that allows simultaneous Ultra HD playback across 4 screens.
Competing OTT services in India like Amazon Prime, Hotstar, Voot, and Eros Now, each of which charges less for subscriptions than Netflix, pose a serious threat to Netflix. Its incredible content quality has earned this a spot amongst India’s Top 10 OTT platforms.
5. ZEE 5
Through its subsidiary Zee Entertainment Enterprises, the Essel Group operates the Indian video-on-demand service ZEE5. On February 14, 2018, it made its debut in India with content in 12 different languages. Customers will be able to access entertainment content across devices and without any invasive adverts. Several of Zee’s well-known TV programs, including Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya in Hindi, Sembaruthi in Tamil, Jothe Jotheyali in Kannada, and Mazya Navryachi Bayko in Marathi, will now be accessible via ZEE5 before airing on television.
The Zee5 12-month package currently costs Rs 499 as a limited-time offer. The plan costs Rs 999 in all other cases. Three screens can be used at once when you subscribe on a yearly basis. Users can view it on two screens simultaneously for the duration of the Rs 299 package.
6. Jio Cinema
Jio is an OTT service provided in India by Reliance Jio, a company controlled by Anil Ambani. It is a platform that is only available to Jio members and is provided at no additional cost. Nearly all of Jio’s postpaid and prepaid plans include it.
The video streaming service makes available documentaries, movies, TV series, and Jio Exclusives. The program debuted on September 5, 2016. Both web and smartphone platforms are supported by the app. Due to deals with companies like Disney in the past to distribute some of its content on its own JioCinema platform, this app is in the Top 10 OTT platforms in India. As previously noted, JioCinema is a free-to-download software and the service is compatible with Jio Plans.
7. Sony Liv
Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd., with headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, owns Sony Liv, Indian news and entertainment media-on-demand service which is formerly known as SonyLIV. 18 years’ worth of programming out from Sony Entertainment Network channels in India, including Sony TV, Sony SAB, Sony Ten, Sony Max, Sony MAX 2, Sony PIX, and Sony Six, will be included in Sony Liv’s Library.
The Indian version of the popular movie Passengers, starring Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, features music composed by Sony Liv, the first Over-the-Top multimedia services company in India to do so. Users must pay Rs. 299 a month, Rs. 699 for six months, or Rs. 999 for a year to subscribe to Sony LIV Premium. The cost of a LIV Special subscription is Rs 199 per year, while a LIV Special+ subscription is Rs 399 for a full year. And lastly, a one-year subscription to the WWE channel costs Rs 299. Due to the obvious unique content associated with Sony TV and recent acquisitions of telecast rights for a few athletic events, this is listed among the Top 10 OTT service providers In India.
8. Sun NXT
Sun NXT is a Southern Indian-focused video-on-demand service offered in India by Sun TV Network. It was released in June 2017 and features content in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi in addition to English. For Android, iOS, Smart TVs, and other devices, there is an app called Sun NXT. Blockbusters from Multicolor, Kollywood, Tollywood, and Mollywood are all available.
Customers can choose from three subscription packages, with monthly, quarterly, and yearly rates of Rs 50, Rs 130, and Rs 490, respectively. Only one screen will be permitted by the monthly basis membership and four screens would be permitted by the annual membership.
9. Hoichoi
Hoichoi is a Bengali-only placed above white broadcasting and even on video provider with an Indian subscription model. SVF Entertainment Pvt Ltd, an Indian company based in Kolkata, owns and operates it. It debuted on September 20, 2017. Currently, Hoichoi is accessible on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Mi TV, LG Smart TV, Samsung Tizen, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.
There are presently around 500 film titles available, including over 100 films made by SVF and about 400 other films. In addition, Hoichoi offers worldwide streaming music access to more than 1,000 Bengali songs. The Family account costs Rs. 899 for a year of service and permits connectivity to 8 gadgets. For Rs 599 for a year, you can link up to five devices with the Solo plan.
10. Lionstage
In India, Lionsgate Play first debuted in 2020 and it offers a wide variety of material, offering international movies and television shows to Indian fans. This includes the best initial feature films and television dramas, romances, comedies, thrillers, and action classics and debuts.
The app is now accessible as means of two subscription options, costing Rs 699 for a year and Rs 99 per month, a portion of the service’s new debut in India. The software would be accessible in India for installation on a wide range of platforms and gadgets, along with the Play Store, the Appstore, and the Amazon Firestick.