Since the pandemic has begun and cinemas are shut down, OTT (Over-the-top) platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, etc. have become a source of entertainment for a ton of people belonging to all age groups. OTT refers to any streaming service that delivers content over the internet through which people keep themselves entertained. It is the new normal and people are adjusting to it quite quickly than expected.
Entertainment Streamed!
Five years back, if someone would have mentioned that they have got a Netflix or Amazon Video subscription, it would have been considered a big billion-dollar surprise, while now it is totally the reverse. Such has been the growth of these platforms. While there were platforms like Netflix and Amazon prime which had many subscribers even before the pandemic but now many more not-so-famous digital platforms like Zee5, Hotstar, etc. have also come into the spotlight.
There are films and TV series which are specially commissioned by and released exclusively on these platforms and are amazing in terms of story, direction as well as the cast. There are many already released movies also available on these platforms for people who want to watch their favourite movies again and again.
Get a glimpse at some factors that have led to the growth of the OTT platforms amid pandemic.
OTT Platforms Over Cinemas
We all can agree on the fact that watching movies at home is much more flexible and affordable than going to the cinemas. The price of watching movies at cinemas not only includes the price of the ticket but transportation fees as well as the food which is so expensive that it even exceeds the total price of the tickets.
When watching a movie at home, we can enjoy the comfort of our bed along with hot home-cooked food and the choice to pause/play/skip the movie whenever we want. The choice and diversity of content on OTT platforms is much greater than cinemas. We can stream drama series, comedy movies and even informative documentaries all in a single day without any limitation on time.
Advantages of This Platform
OTT actually helps in providing a captive audience to the small budget films. For small films with less saleable names, OTT guarantees a wider audience. They can also save on printing and advertising costs. The concept of storytelling can come out much better in non-commercial or experimental films. Many not-so-famous and young actors are getting a chance to portray their talent on OTT platforms and are able to earn much more money and fame than they used to before.
Also, you could bypass many of the problems of censor certification if you release films on these platforms making their content more realistic and relatable. Movies which were set to release in cinemas this year are now being released on these platforms and are accessible to a wider audience than before. Theatre owners are battling fears that the digital platforms might change the whole movie-watching experience and people might not return in the same numbers in which they used to come before the pandemic.
Read about the differentiating aspects between OTT programs and Tv serials.
Will People Still Go to Multiplexes After the Pandemic?
While there are many advantages of OTT platforms and there might be a reduction in the number of people coming to multiplexes but people will still go to theatres as there are a plethora of things that people won’t be able to experience at home. People go to multiplexes not only to watch movies but to have an outing with their family members and escape from their regular stressful life even if it's just for a few hours.
However hard we try we can never watch a movie on a big screen with high quality speakers at our home. It is an experience on its own. Even during the pandemic, people still miss the theatrical experience and wish that the situation gets better so that they can dress up and enjoy watching movies with some popcorn and coke like they used to before. People belonging to rural areas do not have access to the internet and are not able to benefit from these platforms making cinemas the only source of entertainment for them.
The Bottom Line
In India, many livelihoods rely upon their lives in performing and visual arts. We are the largest film-making nation in the world. The film industry offers jobs to numerous people. Re-opening of cinemas will obviously be beneficial for the people who work in this sector, as well as for the overall economy of our country.
Learn more about how OTT platforms give rise to unhealthy mindsets through some docuseries.
Written By - Aarushi Jain
Edited By - Pavas Shrigyan
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