Are OTT Platforms Killing Movies?

Nowadays, OTT platforms are run in theaters equally. Before the arrival of OTTs, if new movies are released, you have to watch them in theaters and wait until they are telecast on TV. But now new movies are appearing on OTT platforms while still in theaters. At present, some movies are released directly on OTT.

Talking about Indian movies, OTTs are completely dominating. If this is good for the film industry, it is also bad.

What is OTT?

OTTs (over the top) are online streaming platforms. They provide content to users through an app or website. These are the top providers of entertainment after television. However, these are gaining ground by beating the TV channels.

OTT platforms in India

There are many OTTs operating in India. Most of the recognized and popular platforms are worth checking out. Others are not allowed by all and are unknown to many. Now let’s see which OTT platforms have made millions of subscribers.

The list of OTT platforms in India

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Disney+ Hotstar
• ZEE5
• SonyLIV
• Sun NXT
• Aha
• JioCinema
• JioTV
• Eros Now
• Hungama Play
• Voot
• Viu

Online streaming in India

Online streaming services are changing all the time in India. The rules and regulations of the OTT platforms are in accordance with the government. Similarly, OTT services are available to users on a limited basis. Lately, OTT companies are also making rules for filmmakers.

How is the OTT rights business going now?

OTT rights are part of digital rights. Producers who make a movie sell the movie to an OTT company that suits them or pays more. After the movie retires from theaters, the OTT platforms will stream it. However, this OTT-right business does not happen uniformly. The integration of OTT companies is multifaceted. Hence, there are differences in profit and loss for producers. The OTT rights business is done in the following ways:

• Collaborating with the OTT company before the movie starts.
• Buying the rights while the movie is still filming.
• Buying the rights after the completion of the movie.
• Buying the rights after watching special or premiere shows.
• Seeing whether the movie is a hit or a flop, the rights are bought.

Here, the producers consult the OTT companies, or the OTT companies consult the producers. Whatever happens, the business will be done as mentioned above. So far, so good. No matter how the business is done, the filmmakers may not suffer many losses. But movies are losing.

Some movies are playing long in theaters. But as per the agreement made by the OTT company, it will broadcast at that specified time. Due to this, the movie will suffer a lot. However, not only the movie but also the distributors and exhibitors suffer losses. Once the rights go to the OTT companies, they will stream on the contractually decided date. Now the agreements are also made according to them.

Are OTT platforms killing movies?

Some say yes, and some say no. Some movies benefit from OTT platforms, while others lose. Movies with star casting and hype will definitely benefit. OTT companies spend any amount of money and buy such movies. Also, those movies will be streamed on OTT after a long run in theaters. Low-budget movies are being streamed on OTT while they are still in theaters. Due to this, those movies will be damaged. Even if the movies are not good, business will be less. Film producers are agreeing to OTT’s terms and conditions with the intention of selling movies anyway.

On the other hand, with the advent of OTT, some movies are benefiting. OTT platforms are becoming the best option for releasing many movies that are struggling due to a lack of theaters. Nowadays, OTT companies are producing and streaming themselves.

Finally, although commercial business is going well due to OTT platforms, some movies are not able to provide a theatrical experience.