
Non-fiction makes a comeback via Indian streaming platforms, drive viewership growth
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Non-fiction content, which had reached saturation on linear television, is bringing returns for streaming platforms with titles like Bigg Boss, Shark Tank India and The Great Indian Kapil Show topping viewership charts in India. Experts said the interactive nature of some of the latest non-fiction shows is paying off for streaming services.
However, while brand interest is decent, there is still some time to go before the titles truly start bringing returns. According to media consulting firm Ormax, the fourth season of Shark Tank India on SonyLIV was the third most viewed streaming original of the week with 3.8 million views. The third season of Bigg Boss OTT on JioHotstar was the most watched Indian unscripted show in 2024, with 17.8 million views, followed by The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix with 15.7 million views.
“OTT platforms have increasingly embraced a TV+ strategy, bringing in everything from experienced TV producers and talent to familiar formats and genres that mass audiences have enjoyed," said Sai Abishek, head of factual and lifestyle cluster, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery. “This shift has allowed popular non-fiction and reality shows to find a home on streaming platforms, seamlessly bridging the gap between traditional television and digital consumption." He added that titles like My Daughter Joined a Cult and Cult of Fear: Asaram Bapu have become popular with Indian viewers, along with Reality Ranis of the Jungle, a localised version of a Warner Bros.
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