Non-fiction new OTT favourite, draws eyeballs and adverts

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₹2 crore per episode, making non-fiction shows a more cost-effective proposition," a recent Ormax report said. In general, reality shows have a higher new user-to-returning user ratio compared to fiction, owing to their wider appeal and limited supply of non-fiction shows on OTT, Ormax said. Further, they provide more avenues from an advertising revenue perspective, due to brand integration and sponsorship possibilities.

Unlike fiction shows, which have six to eight episodes in a typical season, reality shows have seasons of 30-60 episodes. This means higher ad inventory for AVoD (advertising video on demand) platforms and a stronger potential to drive subscriptions for SVoD (subscription video on demand) platforms, whereby such shows can lead to at least two, if not three, monthly renewals. Tanya Bami, series head, Netflix India, said unscripted is a format the platform has been investing in since it began programming in India.

While its documentary The Elephant Whisperers won an Oscar, Vir Das’s comedy special bagged an International Emmy. “Audiences are genre-agnostic. They are looking for a story or an experience that engages them deeply, and it is on us as the creative community to deliver the freshest, most distinct stories.

Non-fiction is an integral part of our slate. In fact, we are always looking for stories and ideas to take this genre wider, quite like the approach for our fiction series," Bami said. She added that this year, the company will diversify further by bringing a show with Kapil Sharma and his team, along with new offerings in the documentary space, and the third season of the Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives.