Lok Sabha Question No. 2838 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Showcasing Indian Talent to Global Audiences through OTT
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2838

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

## SHOWCASING INDIAN TALENT TO GLOBAL AUDIENCES THROUGH OTT

## 2838. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state;

- (a)  whether the Over-The-Top (OTT) sector has elevated India's soft power by showcasing Indian talent to global audiences and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there has been an increase in revenue from international viewers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  India's  OTT  subscription  base  and  the  manner in  which it compare to the figures from 2020; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  address  issues  related  to  digital  piracy  and  the unauthorized distribution of content on OTT platforms and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (d): The Over-the-Top (OTT) sector has significantly contributed towards India's soft power  by  enabling  global  access  to  Indian  stories,  creative  talent,  cultural  heritage,  and independent filmmaking.

As  per  industry  estimates  (FICCI-EY  Media  &  Entertainment  Industry  Report  2025),  the video subscription revenues grew at 11% in 2024 to reach Rs. 9,200 cr. The number of users paying for streaming content on OTT are estimated between 9.5-11.8 crore individuals.

Public Broadcaster's platform WAVES OTT has further strengthened this outreach by making Doordarshan  and  All  India  Radio's  rich  archives,  regional  arts,  documentaries,  classical music,  literature-based  programming,  and  multilingual  content  accessible  to  audiences worldwide.

WAVES  OTT  has  introduced  a  framework  to  support  emerging  filmmakers  and  creators, providing  them  with  a  technology-driven  distribution  platform  to  reach  diverse  global audiences.

WAVES OTT is primarily a subscription-free public service platform and does not operate on a  subscription-based  model.  Advertising  is  its  main  source  of  revenue.  It  focuses  on democratising access to public broadcasting content across India and globally.

The  platform  is  currently  in  a  growth  and  expansion  phase,  with  a  steadily  increasing international user footprint. Revenue streams from international markets are being progressively developed through strategic partnerships.

User growth has shown a significant upward trend with more than 80 Lakh downloads users in the first year of launch. This reflects the rising demand for multilingual Indian content and public service media on digital platforms.

The newly inserted Section 7(1B)(ii) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (as amended in 2023), empowers the Central Government, under Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 to take remedial action against intermediaries hosting pirated film contents.

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