Prasar Bharati’s recently launched OTT platform, ‘WAVES – Family Entertainment Ki Nayi Lehar,’ has achieved a major milestone by crossing over one million downloads within a month of its debut. The app, unveiled on November 20 at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), has garnered widespread attention for its unique and diverse content offerings.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the achievement on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “WAVES OTT App by Prasar Bharati crosses a significant milestone of 1 million downloads.” The platform is accessible via Android, iOS, and as a web application.

Designed to cater to a family-friendly audience, WAVES features an extensive library of movies, TV shows, live events, and games. Notable titles include films like Aarakshan, One Day, The Impossible, and Alice Darling. Additionally, the platform is making strides in offering both archival material and live TV channels, combining entertainment and information on a single platform.

Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, had earlier highlighted the platform’s vision during a media roundtable. He described WAVES as a “game-changer,” emphasizing its hybrid model with a small subscription-based section while keeping most of its content free for users.

WAVES is built to handle up to 10 million concurrent users, with future scalability to 100 million users. It offers streaming in SD, HD, and 4K resolutions, ensuring a premium viewing experience. Furthermore, the app is set to introduce innovative features like integrated gaming for children and online shopping through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

The platform’s launch, initially slated for September 15, was delayed to October 3 due to industry concerns but finally went live in November with overwhelming success.

Prasar Bharati’s ambitious venture underscores its commitment to redefining digital entertainment in India by blending traditional broadcasting with cutting-edge technology. As WAVES continues to expand its reach, it is poised to strengthen its position in the competitive OTT landscape while offering unparalleled value to Indian audiences.