Indian government’s public service broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, will soon be launching its own over-the-top platform, according to a news report.

The platform will start airing content focused on Indian society and its culture. The OTT will compete with top streaming platforms and will be free for the first year or two.

According to the news report, a government official said that the platform will comprise “clean” content meant for family viewing, unlike many OTTs that air abusive or vulgar matter today. The proposed platform will promote Indian culture and society with an emphasis on nationalism, said the official to the media house.

The BJP manifesto also promised a plan to launch an OTT platform as part of its 100-day agenda if it returns to power for the third term.

The report says that some creators and producers have been approved for the platform. These include actor Kabir Bedi, director Vipul Shah and Sri Adhikari Brothers. They are expected to get back with their concept note.

The broadcaster floated a tender back in September 2023 to design, develop, commission, operate and run its own platform that will reach Indian citizens in the remotest parts of the world.

In April, Prasar Bharati invited e-tenders for multimedia and media sales agency for the OTT platform.

The scope of work will include branding, marketing, promotion, media planning, sales and buying of Prasar Bharati's OTT platform during pre-during and post-launch of DAVP rates, the tender said.

The scope of work / Supply of stores to be tendered are available in the bid documents, which can be viewed / downloaded from the e-procurement portal of Prasar Bharati.

In December of 2023 too, Prasar Bharati had invited e-tenders to hire a multi-media agency for marketing and PR of the OTT platform.