Daily Current Affairs: OTT as India’s Soft Power & WAVES Platform

📅 Date: 20 December 2025 (Saturday)

Welcome to your daily update. Today, the spotlight is on the digital entertainment revolution. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has identified the OTT sector as a key driver of India’s global cultural outreach. Let's break down the data and the new initiatives.

1. The Rise of OTT: India's New Soft Power

The government has officially highlighted the role of the OTT (Over-The-Top) sector in promoting Indian stories, creativity, and heritage to the world.

📈 The Numbers (2024 Growth):

Revenue: Video subscription revenues in India grew by 11%, reaching a massive ₹9,200 Crore.
User Base: An estimated 9.5 to 11.8 Crore individuals in India now pay for streaming services.

What is OTT?

OTT refers to digital platforms that deliver video and audio content directly to users via the internet, bypassing traditional cable or satellite networks.
Examples: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar.

2. WAVES: The Government's OTT Player

Did you know Prasar Bharati has its own OTT platform? It is called WAVES, and it is making significant strides.

Success: WAVES recorded over 80 lakh downloads in its first year.
Content: It provides free access to the archives of Doordarshan and All India Radio, along with regional arts, documentaries, and multilingual content.
Creator Support: The platform has created a framework to help emerging filmmakers find global distribution opportunities.

3. Legal Update: Cracking Down on Piracy

With great content comes the risk of piracy. To combat this, the government has strengthened the law.

        ⚖️ New Legal Provision:

        The newly added Section 7(1B)(ii) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 empowers the government to take strict action against intermediaries (websites/apps) hosting pirated films online.

Stay updated! The WAVES platform and the Cinematograph Act amendment are important topics for Governance and Technology sections in exams.