WAVES OTT Expands Public Broadcasting into Digital Creator Space

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 23rd Sept: Prasar Bharati’s digital platform WAVES OTT is expanding the reach of public broadcasting by bringing live television, radio, on-demand programmes, archives, education, devotional content and publications onto a single digital platform, while MyWAVES is enabling citizens and emerging creators to submit and showcase original content.

Launched on November 20, 2024, at the 55th International Film Festival of India in Goa, WAVES OTT currently has 1.2 crore registered users, more than 1.5 crore downloads and over 24,000 titles, according to information released by the government.

The platform provides access to more than 15,000 hours of content, over 140 television channels and 220 radio services, along with educational programmes, e-books, magazines, films, documentaries and archival material.

WAVES OTT is available across multiple devices and reaches audiences in more than 130 countries. Its interface supports over 10 languages, while its content is available in more than 26 languages.

From broadcasting to digital access
The platform represents Prasar Bharati’s transition from conventional television and radio broadcasting to a digital public-service ecosystem.

WAVES OTT brings together content from Doordarshan and Akashvani, including archival programmes, contemporary shows and live broadcasts. The platform also carries all 35 Doordarshan satellite channels and draws on Akashvani’s national and regional radio network.

The platform offers on-demand access to films, television programmes, web series, documentaries and archival content. It also provides educational programming through PM eVidya channels and carries publications such as Yojana and Kurukshetra.

The government said the platform is aimed at widening digital access while preserving India’s cultural heritage and linguistic diversity.

MyWAVES gives citizens a creator platform
The next phase of the initiative came with the launch of MyWAVES on March 23, 2026. The platform allows citizens to create, upload and share original short-form, vertical and episodic content.

MyWAVES is designed to provide opportunities for emerging creators, particularly those outside established media networks, to showcase regional stories, local talent and community experiences.

The platform also supports participation in national initiatives such as the Create in India Challenge, linking citizen-generated content with the wider creative economy.

‘Gems of India’ highlights local stories
The Gems of India Challenge was launched in July 2026 as a pilot across six States and Union Territories. Under the initiative, creators were invited to submit one- to three-minute videos through MyWAVES.

The submissions focus on India’s districts and can highlight culture, heritage, tourism, nature, folk traditions, festivals, handicrafts, handlooms, regional cuisine, local personalities, innovations and achievements.

The pilot submission window ran from August 1 to 31, 2026.

The initiative involves Prasar Bharati, My Bharat and State and district administrations, with cultural and educational institutions supporting participation. YouTube and Meta are also supporting outreach through their creator communities.

The programme is expected to expand across all States and Union Territories, with the broader objective of creating a nationwide network of grassroots digital creators.

Content sourcing and wider distribution
WAVES OTT has also introduced a Pay-Per-View Content Sourcing Policy to provide a mechanism for producers and rights holders to offer content to the platform.

The platform has further incorporated ONDC integration and railway-related digital distribution initiatives, expanding avenues for content partnerships and distribution.

WAVES Summit connects creators with industry
The digital initiatives are part of the wider World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) ecosystem, India’s global platform for the media and entertainment sector.

The inaugural WAVES Summit was held in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025, bringing together creators, businesses, investors, policymakers and technology leaders from the media and entertainment industry.

The 2025 summit recorded participation from more than 100 countries, over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300-plus companies and 350-plus start-ups, with more than one lakh participants.

Key platforms included the Global Media Dialogue, CreatoSphere, Create in India Challenges, WAVES Bazaar and WaveX.

The government said the WAVES Declaration was adopted by 77 countries, while the Create in India Challenges received nearly one lakh registrations from more than 60 countries.

WAVES Bazaar recorded ₹1,328 crore in business transactions through more than 3,000 meetings, while WaveX provided pitching opportunities to more than 30 start-ups.

Together, WAVES OTT, MyWAVES and the wider WAVES ecosystem are aimed at connecting India’s broadcasting archives, regional cultural content, emerging creators, businesses and global audiences.