Here’s the latest on Prasar Bharati’s WAVES OTT platform, which has officially introduced new subscription models and premium rentals as of August 4, 2025:
Subscription Plans Snapshot
According to a report dated August 4, 2025, Prasar Bharati has launched a hybrid monetization model consisting of:
- Platinum Plan: ₹999 per year. Offers Ultra HD streaming across 4 devices. Includes a flat 10% discount on rentals.
- Diamond Plan: ₹350 annually—or ₹85 per quarter or ₹30 per month. Provides HD (720p) streaming across 2 devices with no rental discount.
- Gold Plan: The free tier, offering basic access to content with no charge.
Premium Content Rentals (TVOD)
Beyond subscriptions, WAVES now offers transactional video-on-demand (TVOD), allowing users to rent premium content—such as new movies and web series—not immediately available for free or ad-supported viewing.
This strategic move helps the platform manage content licensing while balancing accessibility and revenue generation.
Context & Platform Growth
Initially launched in November 2024, WAVES offered a wide range of free content including live TV channels, radio, gaming, e-commerce links, and classic shows—all in 12 languages across over 65 live channels. (India Today, The Times of India, The Economic Times, Outlook India)
Since then, the app has experienced rapid uptake—growing from over 1 million downloads by December 2024 to 4 million downloads by mid‑2025.
Summary Table
| Plan Tier | Cost | Quality / Devices | Rental Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold (Free) | ₹0 | Basic access (details not specified) | None |
| Diamond | ₹350/yr, ₹85/qtr, ₹30/mo | HD (720p), 2 devices | None |
| Platinum | ₹999/yr | Ultra HD, 4 devices | 10% discount |
What This Means for Users
- Free access through the Gold tier keeps the platform accessible for basic content consumption.
- Diamond and Platinum offer enhanced streaming quality, more device access, and in Platinum’s case, a rental discount—making it a solid choice for frequent users.
- The introduction of TVOD rentals opens the platform to monetize newer or premium titles not suitable for ad-supported distribution.
In summary, WAVES now operates on a hybrid model combining subscription (SVOD) and pay-per-view (TVOD), with the following structure:
- Platinum: Premium features + rental discount
- Diamond: Mid-tier streaming access without extras
- Gold: Completely free but limited
- TVOD rentals: Available on all tiers, with a discount for Platinum subscribers
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of the content library, supported languages, or how to subscribe (or rent) via the platform!
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