Over-the-Top, or also called OTT platforms redefine entertainment by bypassing traditional cable or satellite systems. They provide the users with direct access to video content over the internet from anywhere in the world. OTT services offer a wide variety of on-demand material which include films, TV series and original creations by different creators. Some examples of OTT platforms are Netflix Amazon Prime Video, JioCinema, Voot, Zee5 and many more

OTT services often challenge traditional television models by providing the user with tailored watching experiences and the ability to stream on many devices at one time. The emergence of OTT services marks a change in consumer tastes with an emphasis on easy accessibility to entertainment at any time and from any location in the world, as well as the convenience and choice of the user.

 OTT services in India

OTT services have been widely gaining popularity in India. They provide a vast array of material in many genres like action, romcom, drama etc. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Voot, Zee5, and SonyLIV are some of the major used OTT platforms in India. These platforms offer a combination of local and foreign content with a wide range of linguistic and cultural tastes

Millions of people in India now rely heavily on OTT platforms for their entertainment. These platforms offer a vast array of content which includes movies, TV shows, web series, and original projects at a very low rate and sometimes even for free. The market is still changing, with local and international streaming providers competing for India's expanding digital audience.

Best OTT Platforms in India: Top Picks

Here are some Best OTT platforms in India.

1. Hotstar

It is one of the best OTT platforms in India. It provides free, VIP and membership subscriptions also. This gives you access to all the channels which are owned by Star. India officially launched Hotstar on 11th February 2015. The owner of Hotstar is Novi Digital Entertainment.

The current Valuation of Hostar is reported to be 32 billion Indian rupees. The subscriber base of Hotstar stands at 40.4 million. Hotstar leads the market and holds a market share of 29%. Hotstar serves in areas like India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Hotstar has the largest library which consist of a lot of Indian TV shows, movies, and web series.

Subscription costs ₹150 for 3 months to ₹300 for 3 months.

2. Netflix

Netflix is a subscription-based OTT service. It provides a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content. It was launched in 1997. Now Netflix has become a global entertainment platform. Netflix allows users to watch content on various devices at the same time.

Netflix was launched in India on January 2016. The founder of Netflux is Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. Current valuation reported is 570.42 USD. Current subcriber number for Netflix is 247.2 million. Netflix holds a market share of 20 ℅. It serves worldwide except China, North Korea, Russia, and Syria. The top content of Netflix includes Griselda, Fool Me Once etc

3. Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is a well-liked service that you can subscribe to, provided by Amazon, a huge online shopping company. It began in India in 2016 and has been successful in attracting many users throughout the nation.

With an Amazon Prime subscription, you can enjoy both free and fast delivery on eligible items and a wide variety of streaming content, including movies and TV shows, on Amazon Prime Video.

Amazon Prime has a large number of users in India, with guesses indicating that there are several crores of subscribers. As of 2023, Amazon Prime in India offers two subscription plans: a monthly plan for ₹179 and an annual plan for ₹1,499. These prices may change, so it's recommended to check the latest rates on the Amazon India website or app.

Popular Indian shows on Amazon Prime Video include "Mirzapur", "The Family Man", "Inside Edge", "Breathe", and "Panchayat".

4. Zee5

It is a video streaming platform which is available for all the regions of India. Zee 5 has content available in different languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. This platform is specially designed for Indian Audience.

It was launched in India on 14 February 2018. Founder of Zee 5 is Tarun Katial. Zee 5 reported a total annual revenue of Rs 741 crore. It has 119.5 millions of active users. It hold a market share of 7%. It serves 190+ countries.

Subscription costs Rs 99 per month. Some platforms on Telecom service provider also offer free subscriptions with their Sim-specific plan.

5. Jio Cinema

JioCinema is a well-liked video-on-demand service in India, provided by Reliance Jio, a major telecom company. It has been available since 2016 and has attracted many users across the nation.
JioCinema provides a large collection of movies, TV shows, and web series, including both Indian and international content. Some popular Indian titles on the platform are "Kabir Singh", "Gully Boy", and "Super 30". It also offers content in several regional languages, appealing to a diverse audience.
Unlike Amazon Prime, JioCinema does not have a subscription-based model. Instead, it is free for all Jio subscribers, who can access it via the JioCinema app or website.
JioCinema does not offer any direct benefits related to product delivery, as it is a video-on-demand service and not an e-commerce platform like Amazon. However, Jio subscribers can enjoy other advantages, such as discounts and offers on various products and services from Reliance Jio and its partners.

JioCinema offers a ₹29 monthly plan for non-Jio users, providing access to its vast library of movies, TV shows, and web series. However, 29 is for the first month then the price increases to 59 Rs per month

Some Other OTT provider

Here is a list of some popular OTT (Over-The-Top) platforms in India:

• SonyLIV
• Voot
• MX Player
• AltBalaji
• Eros NowHoichoi
• Sun NXT
• Aha
• Viu
• ShemarooMe
• YuppTV
• Epic On
• Discovery+
• Hungama Play