Prasar Bharati’s WAVES OTT is expanding public broadcasting into an integrated digital ecosystem, bringing live television, radio, on-demand programmes, archives, educational content and publications onto a single platform.
Launched on November 20, 2024, WAVES OTT currently has 1.2 crore registered users and more than 1.5 crore downloads, with a library of over 24,000 titles and 15,000 hours of content. The platform reaches audiences in more than 130 countries and supports content in over 26 languages.
The platform brings together more than 140 television channels and 220 radio services, along with live broadcasts of major national events, sports, cultural and devotional programmes. It also offers educational programming, including PM eVidya channels, as well as e-books, photo collections and publications such as Yojana and Kurukshetra.
WAVES OTT was unveiled at the 55th International Film Festival of India in Goa as Prasar Bharati’s public-service OTT platform. Unlike commercial streaming platforms, it combines entertainment with news, education, culture, heritage and public information, while also providing access to Prasar Bharati’s television and radio archives.
The platform is accessible through mobile applications, websites and connected televisions. It carries all 35 Doordarshan satellite channels and draws on Akashvani’s national and regional radio networks. Regional content and subtitles are aimed at improving access across languages and locations.
Prasar Bharati has also introduced a Pay-Per-View Content Sourcing Policy to provide a mechanism for producers and rights holders to offer content on WAVES OTT. ONDC integration and railway-related digital distribution initiatives have also been introduced to expand distribution and content partnerships.
MyWAVES expands citizen participation
The digital ecosystem expanded further with the launch of MyWAVES on March 23, 2026. The platform enables citizens to create, upload and share original content, including short videos, vertical videos and episodic content.
With a multilingual interface, MyWAVES is designed to provide opportunities to emerging creators, particularly those outside established media networks. It also supports participation in national programmes such as the Create in India Challenge.
The Gems of India Challenge, launched in July 2026 across six pilot States and Union Territories, is one of the initiatives under MyWAVES. The challenge invited creators to submit one- to three-minute videos highlighting their districts, including their culture, heritage, tourism, folk traditions, handicrafts, local personalities and achievements.
The initiative involves Prasar Bharati, My Bharat and State and district administrations, with cultural and educational institutions supporting creator participation. YouTube and Meta are also supporting outreach through their creator communities. The programme is expected to expand across all States and Union Territories.
WAVES Summit connects creators with global industry
The wider World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) ecosystem seeks to connect creators, businesses, investors, policymakers and technology leaders. Its inaugural edition was held in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025, covering broadcasting and infotainment, AVGC-XR, digital media and films.
The 2025 edition brought together more than 10,000 delegates from over 100 countries, 1,000 creators, 300 companies and more than 350 start-ups, besides attracting over one lakh participants.
The summit’s platforms include the Global Media Dialogue, CreatoSphere, Create in India Challenges, WAVES Bazaar and WaveX. The WAVES Declaration was adopted by 77 countries, while the Create in India Challenges received nearly one lakh registrations from more than 60 countries.
WAVES Bazaar recorded ₹1,328 crore in business transactions through more than 3,000 meetings, while WaveX provided a platform for more than 30 start-ups to pitch their ventures.
Together, WAVES OTT, MyWAVES and the wider WAVES ecosystem seek to combine Prasar Bharati’s broadcasting archives with new forms of digital participation, while providing greater visibility to regional stories, creators and India’s diverse cultural traditions.
