Prasar Bharati has opened applications for licensed satellite TV broadcasters to join its OTT platform, WAVES, offering a one-year streaming partnership from the date of onboarding. The public broadcaster aims to widen the platform’s linear TV offerings through structured collaboration with eligible channels.
As per the commercial model, each channel’s clean feed will operate under a 65:35 advertisement revenue-sharing structure, where the channel retains 65% of the net ad revenue and Prasar Bharati receives 35%. Net revenue will be determined after deducting essential costs such as transcoding, CDN services and agency commissions for advertisement insertion.
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Table of Contents
What is WAVES OTT Platform?
WAVES (Watch Anywhere Video Entertainment Service) is Prasar Bharati’s dedicated OTT platform designed to deliver live TV channels, radio stations, news, and digital content from Doordarshan, Akashvani and partner broadcasters.It offers free access to public service broadcasting along with additional curated channels and digital-first programs.The platform is available on Android TV, mobile apps, smart TVs, and web browsers, making it accessible to users nationwide.
Why WAVES Is Emerging as India’s Most Trusted Family OTT Platform
In a world where most OTT platforms are overflowing with violent scenes, adult themes, and explicit content, finding clean and family-friendly entertainment has become surprisingly difficult. Parents struggle to monitor what their children watch, while older viewers often feel alienated by modern, over-the-top content trends.
This is exactly where WAVES OTT stands out.
WAVES is redefining India’s digital entertainment space by offering a safe, wholesome, and culturally rich streaming experience—without compromising on variety, accessibility, or modern technology. Let’s explore what makes it one of the most promising OTT platforms in India today.
A Clean, Family-Friendly Entertainment Universe
Unlike traditional OTT giants that prioritize edgy, sensational content, WAVES offers programming suitable for every age group. The platform spans genres including:
- News
- Infotainment
- Music
- Devotional shows
- Sports
- Kids’ programming
- Cultural content
This curated approach ensures that families can enjoy entertainment together—without worrying about inappropriate themes or sudden explicit scenes.
A Truly Multilingual Platform for Every Indian Household
India is a land of languages, and WAVES embraces that diversity with a content library available in 12+ languages, including:
- Hindi
- English
- Tamil
- Bengali
- Malayalam
- Assamese
- And more
This makes the platform equally appealing to metro audiences, regional viewers, and the global Indian diaspora.
Where Nostalgia Meets New-Age Storytelling
One of WAVES’ biggest strengths is its thoughtful mix of classic and contemporary content.
Timeless Doordarshan gems like:
- Ramayan
- Mahabharat
- Shaktimaan
These iconic shows transport older viewers back to the golden era of Indian television.
And fresh originals like:
- Fauji 2.0
- Kakbhushundi Ramayana
The platform also features:
- Student films from FTII and Annapurna
- Content from modern creators such as Kamiya Jani and RJ Raunac
This dual approach bridges generations, making WAVES a space where heritage meets innovation.
More Than Just Streaming: A Digital Entertainment Ecosystem
WAVES goes beyond traditional OTT functions by offering:
- Interactive games
- Live events
- Curated music playlists
- Seamless HD streaming across devices
- Integrated e-commerce through ONDC
- Rural accessibility powered by BharatNet
It’s not simply an app—it’s a full entertainment, engagement, and shopping ecosystem aligned with India’s digital future.
Structured Growth for a Stronger Tomorrow
Behind the platform’s rapid rise is a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) responsible for:
- Content strategy
- Monetisation models
- Partnerships
- Analytics
- Marketing
- Digital distribution
This ensures the platform grows sustainably while consistently improving the user experience.
Key Features of WAVES at a Glance
| Feature | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Live TV Channels | 65+ channels including Doordarshan, Aakashvani, ABP News, NDTV India |
| On-Demand Content | Movies, series, e-books, archives, documentaries |
| Languages | Available in 12+ Indian languages |
| Interactive Features | Free games, live shows, curated playlists |
| E-Commerce | Integrated shopping through ONDC |
| Accessibility | HD streaming and rural reach via BharatNet |
| Growth Goals | 10M users, 5× ad revenue growth, 70% monthly active users |
Subscription Plans: Affordable for Every Viewer
WAVES ensures premium entertainment comes at pocket-friendly pricing:
Platinum – ₹999/year
- Ultra HD quality
- Support for 4 devices
- Full access to the entire library
Diamond – ₹350/year or ₹85 for 3 months
- HD streaming
- Two-device support
Gold – ₹30/month
- Standard definition
- Single device
- Access to Live TV + Radio
The app is available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and subscriptions can be purchased securely through the official website.
Why Choosing WAVES Makes Sense
- A safe and family-friendly streaming destination
- Over 10,000 films and 40,000+ hours of programming
- Multilingual support for India and NRIs
- Interactive features that blend entertainment with gaming and shopping
- A platform that celebrates India’s cultural heritage
- Strong, transparent growth backed by clear targets
WAVES isn’t just competing in the OTT market—it’s reshaping what digital entertainment can be.
The Future of WAVES
As technology evolves and audience expectations shift, WAVES is positioning itself as a platform that combines trust, nostalgia, innovation, and scalability. With its unique mix of clean entertainment, modern features, and pan-India accessibility, WAVES is well on its way to becoming a household name across the country.
Eligibility for application
Eligibility is restricted to linear satellite TV channels that hold valid downlinking or distribution licences issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). Applications must be submitted only for channels fully owned and licensed by the respective broadcaster.
A key technical requirement is the provision of an SCTE-35/ad-marker enabled feed, enabling precise identification of ad break timings for dynamic ad insertion. Prasar Bharati will fill these ad slots on the WAVES platform using the markers; any unfilled ad duration will be used for promotional messages of Prasar Bharati or participating channels.
Applicants must also submit clear documentation establishing the channel’s genre and language classification. Any conflict or inconsistency in the submitted documents may lead to immediate rejection.
Qualified channels will be evaluated using the DAVP rate card, with ranking based on the highest rate across all time bands within each category. Channels securing the highest DAVP rates in their respective categories will be selected for onboarding.
Broadcasters must submit applications using the prescribed format (Annexure-1) and documentation (Annexure-2) to ddfreedish@prasarbharati.gov.in no later than December 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Shortlisted applicants will receive a formal Letter of Allotment and will be required to sign an agreement within 15 days. Selected broadcasters must also share all required technical details for integration with the WAVES platform.
For complete guidelines and selection procedures, applicants should refer to Clause 112: “Streaming Collaboration with Satellite Channels and FAST Channels” under Chapter 11 of the Prasar Bharati Content Sourcing Policy 2024, available on the organisation’s website.
