

OTT revenues rise as platforms focus on language-led subscription, ad models
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.India’s video streaming platforms may still be grappling with monetization challenges, but 2025 has turned into a breakout year for revenues.Video streaming revenues surged 55% in 2025 compared to 2024, nearly tripling from 2023 levels, according to a recent Ficci EY report.The growth reflects a decisive shift in strategy—regional language programming, flexible pricing and hybrid revenue models are helping platforms move beyond the limitations of a subscription-only play in a price-sensitive market like India.Digital advertising grew 26% to reach ₹94,700 crore in 2025, as several advertiser categories shifted ad spends from traditional to digital media, led by FMCG, travel and pharma.Sports and entertainment OTT platforms saw ad revenues rise 34%, backed by higher connected TV rates and volumes, as connected TV grew from 30 million to 40 million weekly active connections, the report said.Video subscription revenues jumped 61% to ₹14,800 crore, with 143 million households paying for 216 million video OTT subscriptions.Streaming service executives and content creators attribute much of this growth to regional language content that has deepened penetration across markets.
These offerings are often available at lower price points, tailored to specific linguistic audiences.A major structural shift has been the move away from an overdependence on subscriptions, towards a hybrid blend of advertising, subscription and pay-per-view models.“..Instead of requiring users to opt for a full-platform subscription, we are enabling them to access high-quality, culturally relevant content in their language of choice alongside a growing mix of non-fiction and shorter-format series that reflect evolving
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