Prasar Bharati’s WAVES OTT – an all-in-one streaming platform offering 65+ live TV channels, nostalgic Doordarshan classics, multilingual content, interactive games, and e-commerce features. Now aiming for 10M users and 5× ad revenue growth.
The public broadcaster has recently floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) to appoint a Project Management Unit (PMU). This PMU will be responsible for scaling up content, monetisation, distribution partnerships, marketing, analytics and user retention.
Key targets for the near term include:
- 10 million+ registered users within the first year after onboarding the PMU.
- Achieving 5× growth in advertising revenue in year one.
- Maintaining a 70% Monthly Active User (MAU) rate through content freshness, engagement strategies and retention initiatives.
Table of Contents
What Is Prasar Bharati WAVES OTT?
Prasar Bharati’s WAVES (Wide Area Virtual Entertainment Stream) is a next-generation OTT platform that blends the nostalgia of Doordarshan with today’s digital entertainment. Whether you’re looking for timeless TV classics or fresh programming, WAVES brings everything under one roof. With 65+ live channels, on-demand videos, radio streams, lively broadcasts of Prabhu Shriram Lalla Aarti, free-to-play games, and even an integrated online shopping experience through ONDC, WAVES redefines what a public broadcaster can offer in the age of streaming.
WAVES is committed to delivering a diverse and multilingual content library that spans over 10 genres, including infotainment, news, cultural programming, and interactive games. This inclusivity ensures that there is something for everyone, regardless of language or regional preferences.
In addition to its rich media content, WAVES also offers live streaming of 44 Akashvani channel likes famous Vividh Bharati, Gold and Rainbow in 12+ Indian languages including Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Assamese and more language across the India.
Recent Growth Metrics & Strategic Ambitions
Since its launch in November 2024, WAVES has crossed around 3.8 million app downloads and 2.3 million user registrations. Recently the public broadcaster has floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) to appoint a Project Management Unit (PMU). This PMU will be responsible for scaling up content, monetisation, distribution partnerships, marketing, analytics and user retention.
Key targets for the near term include:
- 10 million+ registered users within the first year after onboarding the PMU.
- Achieving 5× growth in advertising revenue in year one.
- Retention & Engagement: The goal is to keep 70% of registered users active monthly via personalized recommendations, referral programmes, feedback mechanisms and relevant content.
- Content effectiveness metrics: Ensuring around 80% of new content meets engagement benchmarks like watch time, shares, likes and feedback.
Why WAVES Stands Out from others OTT platform?
while most of the OTT offers valence, nudity, sex, and explicit content which is not suitable for especially for kids and olders on other hands Waves OTT is clean family entertainment across genres like news, infotainment, music, devotional, sports, kids and culture.
- Multilingual content library (12+ Indian languages including Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Assamese and more).
- Exclusive Doordarshan classics such as Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktimaan alongside new-age originals like Fauji 2.0 or Kakbhushundi Ramayana.
- Interactive elements – free games, live events, curated playlists and seamless cross-device streaming.
- Digital India aligned – e-commerce integration and BharatNet reach for rural audiences.
- A Treasure Trove of Nostalgia + Modernity
- For older viewers, WAVES is a gateway to golden-era shows they grew up with. For younger audiences, it’s a chance to discover these gems in HD alongside contemporary stories, student films from FTII and Annapurna, and fresh content from award-winning creators like Kamiya Jani and RJ Raunac.
- This dual focus makes WAVES a unique platform that preserves India’s broadcasting heritage while nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
- Enhanced Focus: Strategy, Monetisation & User Engagement Besides offering great content, WAVES is pushing ahead with strategic initiatives:
- Project Management Unit (PMU): To professionalise the growth process – including content strategy, monetization, partnerships, analytics, marketing and distribution.
Key Features at a Glance
Feature Highlights
- Live TV Channels 65+ including Doordarshan, Aakashvani, ABP News, NDTV India On-Demand Library Movies, series, e-books, historical footage.
- Languages 12+ Indian languages
- Interactivity Free-to-play games, live events, curated playlists
- E-Commerce Shopping integrated via ONDC
- Accessibility Rural reach through BharatNet; cross-device streaming in HD
- Growth Targets 10M registered users; 5× ad revenue; 70% monthly active user rate; 80% content meeting engagement criteria
Subscription Plans of WAVES OTT
- Platinum Plan (₹999/year): Ultra HD, 4 devices, full library access.
- Diamond Plan (₹350/year or ₹85/3 months): HD streaming, 2 devices
- Gold Plan (₹30/month): Standard
- Definition, single device, live TV + radio Users can download the app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store and subscribe securely via the official WAVES website.
Benefits of Using WAVES OTT
- One-stop destination for clean family entertainment.
- Massive content library of over 10,000 films and 40,000+ hours of programming.
- Multilingual accessibility for diverse Indian audiences and NRIs.
- Interactive, future-ready platform combining streaming, gaming and shopping.
- Platform for emerging talent and cultural preservation.
- Strong growth trajectory and transparency: With clear metrics, user targets and advertiser focus, WAVES is not just about entertainment but also about scale and sustainability.
The Future of WAVES OTT Platform
Prasar Bharati has big plans for growth and scalability since its launch in November 2024, WAVES has crossed around 3.8 million app downloads and 2.3 million user registrations and Pubcaster aiming to increase this to 10Million registered users in upcoming months. Others initiative are to expand regional and multilingual content to deepen reach across India. Improve retention and user engagement to sustain monthly active user metrics. Diversify revenue streams (AVOD, SVOD, syndication). Forge partnerships (telecom bundling, international content collaborations). Ensure operational efficiency through the PMU and performance reviews.
