Ott Platforms

Blocked 18 OTT platforms for publishing obscene, vulgar content: Govt in LS

Government blocked 18 OTT platforms this year for publishing obscene and vulgar content, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. In a reply to a question by Shiv Sena-UBT member Anil Desai, Murugan said the IT Rules of 2021 cast specific due diligence obligations on intermediaries to make reasonable efforts by themselves against displaying or spreading obscene or pornographic content. The Rules also provide for a Code of Ethics for publishers of news and current affairs on digital media and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms). "The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken action in coordination with various intermediaries, and blocked 18 OTT platforms on 14th March, 2024 for publishing obscene, vulgar, and, in some instances, pornographic content under these provisions," Murugan said. In a reply to a separate question, Murugan said the Code of Ethics for digital news publishers requires such publishers

Top 10 Indian OTT series of 2024: From Mirzapur to Panchayat, check list nc

2024 has been a roller coaster ride for movie lovers as this year witnessed some thrilling OTT series and movies. Here are the top 10 Indian OTT series of 2024

BS Crunch: Why Shopping Malls are reducing multiplex spaces?

OTT releases this week: Sikandar ka Muqaddar, Lucky Baskhar, and more

This week, multiple films and series like Our Little Secret, Lucky Baskhar and more were released on OTT platforms. So, here is the list of the latest films and web series released recently

NGO seeks legal action against OTT platforms for explicit content

An NGO has called for legal action against OTT platforms for broadcasting sexually-explicit content, contending that such programmes are disrupting India's social fabric. Save Culture, Save Bharat Foundation, founded by former information commissioner Uday Mahurkar, also claimed to have filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police against the promoters of the OTT platform ALTT for disseminating explicit content. In a statement, Mahurkar criticised OTT platforms for making sexually-explicit and harmful content openly accessible to viewers. He claimed that access to sexually-perverted content and pornography has emerged as a major cause behind rape cases in the country. The Delhi-based NGO contended that OTT platforms violate several Indian laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Information Technology Act, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act and various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). "If left unchecked, such content ..

Govt formulating new broadcast policy to regulate OTTs: Minister Murugan

The Centre is formulating a new broadcast policy following complaints that the Over-The-Top platforms are not adhering to self-regulatory practices, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, L Murugan said on Wednesday. At an event here, Murugan said the government was holding 'detailed conversations' with various stakeholders to allow private FM radio channels to broadcast news bulletins in addition to the service rendered by All India Radio. Murugan accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry, addressed a meeting on FM Radio Auction, an outreach programme organised by the Consultative Committee City Chambers of Commerce and Industry, comprising six industry bodies based out of Chennai. To a query on regulation of Over-The-Top platforms, the Minister said the Centre introduced self-regulation practices like classifying a movie based on the age of the viewership and the content it provided. "Normally, OTTs broadcast disclaimer: this is mean

Supreme Court rejects petition for regulatory body over OTT platforms

The Union of India and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting introduced IT Rules 2021 to self-regulate OTT platforms however the same has been inefficient, the petition stated

Trai pushes for OTT app regulation: Why WhatsApp and Telegram are in focus

Trai chief Anil Lahoti called for regulators across the globe to strike a balance between fostering innovation and maintaining a fair marketplace, given the cross-border nature of OTT services

NCPCR seeks mandate on OTT disclaimers to shield minors from adult content

The NCPCR emphasised that warnings should inform subscribers that they could be held accountable under these provisions if their child is exposed to adult content

OTT releases this week: Stree 2, Khel Khel Mein, Vaazhai, and more

From exciting new web series to digital releases of movies that were running in theatres, this week's releases have it all. From Shraddha Kapoor's Stree 2 to Akshay Kumar's Sarfira, it has covered it

Tata Play expands OTT reach to Philippines through tie-up with Cignal TV

Tata Play's OTT platform Binge will now expand to Philippines as the company has entered into partnership with the country's local media - Cignal TV to launch the Cignal Super app

Ultra Media announces Rs 500 cr investment, launches 2 OTT platforms

Ultra Media & Entertainment Group on Thursday announced a Rs 500 crore investment to drive its growth and expand the content portfolio. As part of the growth strategy, the content production and distribution group launched two new over-the-top (OTT) platforms, Ultra Play and Ultra Gaane, the company said in a statement. The Rs 500 crore "strategic financial commitment will support the launch and expansion of two OTT platforms Ultra Play and Ultra Gaane alongside enhancing the existing Marathi platform, Ultra Jhakaas", the statement said. "The investment is a key component of Ultra Media & Entertainment Group's five-year growth plan. The allocation includes Rs 250 crore dedicated to content acquisition, ensuring a robust and diverse library across all platforms," it added. An additional Rs 200 crore will fuel the production of new content, while Rs 50 crore is earmarked for marketing and technological advancements, further solidifying Ultra's position in the digital ...

Anatomy of Reliance-Disney merger: What are the strategies and challenges?

The Rs 23,000 crore (revenues FY24) venture, announced in February, was cleared by the Competition Commission of India this week

Prabhas' Kalki 2898 AD out on OTT platforms; Check when, where to watch

Kalki 2898 OTT release: The mega blockbuster of 2024 is finally releasing on OTT platforms. People who haven't watched it experience the highest-grossing movie of 2024 on Netflix and Amazon

Decoded: Why telcos, OTTs are clashing over new Telecom Act definitions

Traditional telecom operators are pushing for over-the-top (OTT) services, such as WhatsApp and Google Meet, to be regulated on par with themselves to ensure a 'level playing field'

OTT releases for this week: Here are your must-watch shows for this week

From Shekhar Homes to Jackpot, several top series or movies are going to be released on different OTT platforms. Check out the top OTT releases of this week

Advertising, not pay model, likely to drive revenue for video business

Growth of online video depends on ability to attract audiences looking for free video, says Omdia research

Survey finds 89% people facing call drops, 9 in 10 calling through OTT

Around 89 per cent of people surveyed have experienced call drops in the last three months and nine in 10 have used Wi-Fi networks to make calls through calling and messaging apps, online survey firm Localcircles said on Monday. The survey conducted between March and June claims to have received a total of 32,000 responses across different questions from 362 districts. The number of responses differed from question to question. "89 per cent of subscribers surveyed face call connection and drop issues, Out of this 89 per cent, 38 per cent of them face it with over 20 per cent of their calls," the survey said. In response to the question on call drop experience, 17 per cent indicated they face issues in more than half of their total phone calls while 21 per cent said that 20-50 per cent of their calls get dropped or disconnected. With most mobile subscribers facing call connection and drop issues, nine in 10 are using OTT (internet calls and messaging apps like WhatsApp) platforms to

Soon, Netflix could remove 'download videos' option on Windows app: Details

Reportedly, Netflix has started showing a pop-up notification on its Windows app stating that downloads will no longer be supported

Bigg Boss OTT 3 to premiere in June on Jio Cinema, check the latest updates

The promo of Bigg Boss OTT 3 is out and this season will premiere in June. The final date is yet to be announced. Here's all you need to know