Why India’s television industry continues to grow in the age of OTT streaming
₹200– ₹350 per month delivers over 100 channels across multiple languages, making it the most economical and reliable shared-screen option. OTT, by contrast, requires multiple paid subscriptions and dependable broadband connectivity, both of which increase household costs.This, he added, explains why OTT growth remains urban-skewed and individual-first, while television continues to be family-first.The living-room television continues to function as a cultural anchor for Indian households, agreed Anil Suryavamshi, vice-president – digital (south & west) at media agency Carat India.“OTT fulfils the need for personalised, mobile-first viewing, but communal content still lives on TV,” Suryavamshi said.
“As long as we have multi-member, multi-generational households, television will remain the default shared medium, and that stickiness is what keeps subscriptions stable.”He added that the distribution ecosystem is reshaping pay TV rather than replacing it. In tier-two to tier-four markets, DTH remains more affordable, easier to install, and more reliable than broadband.
While OTT growth is constrained by internet quality, TV growth is supported by its frictionless reliability.Subscription fatigue is also being addressed through aggregation, industry executives said. Platforms such as Tata Play Binge, Airtel Xstream, Amazon Channels, and hybrid cable bundles are combining TV and OTT services under a single bill and interface.This bundled approach enhances perceived value for consumers while giving broadcasters predictable subscription revenues—something pure-play OTT platforms still struggle to ensure.Broadcasters have also played a role in sustaining television’s momentum by strengthening regional programming.
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