How pandemic contributed to rise in popularity of OTT platforms? | Anushka Writes

 On 9th December, Filmfare recently organised the second edition of ‘Filmfare OTT awards’. Scam 1992 and Gullak 2, both by Sony LIV walked away with the most wins. But what exactly is OTT? Short for ‘Over the Top’, this emerging sector of the entertainment industry refers to streaming platforms through which you can watch films, TV shows, documentaries and more online. You only need internet connection and monthly subscription to use these platforms. A satellite or cable connection is not needed. OTT platforms have been in the industry for a long time. And the first platform of this type, BIGflix by Reliance Entertainment, started more than a decade ago in 2008. But the growth and popularity of streaming platforms witnessed the biggest surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Filmfare established a separate award ceremony for content on OTT platforms, with the inaugural edition being held in 2020. But why now? Because of the pandemic, going to movie theatres has become more expensive. Convenience also plays a role, as platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hotstar allow you to watch movies from the comfort of your home. It also meant an opportunity to scout new talent. Pratik Gandhi from Scam 1992 along with Rasika Duggal and Isha Talwar, both from Mirzapur are just some of the actors who were discovered to the OTT shows. On the other hand, established actors such as Saif Ali Khan [Sacred Games], Sushmita Sen [Arya] are taking advantage of the mass appeal of these platforms and now doing shows specifically made for such platforms. While the rise in popularity of OTT platform is definitely a positive thing, it will be interesting how this sector fares after the pandemic is over.