Prasar Bharati Transforms Public Broadcasting: Digital Revolution Begins with Waves OTT and MyWaves
Prasar Bharati has digitized public broadcasting through Waves OTT and MyWaves, offering citizens the opportunity to not only consume content but also become creators.
Prasar Bharati has transitioned its traditional broadcasting model into an integrated digital public-service ecosystem by launching platforms such as 'Waves OTT' and 'MyWaves'. Through Waves OTT, live television, radio, on-demand programs, archives, education, and devotional content have been made available on a single digital platform.
Waves OTT was launched on November 20, 2024, during the 55th International Film Festival of India held in Goa. The platform extends beyond mere entertainment to provide reliable information, education, culture, and news. Currently, it has 1.2 crore registered users and has surpassed 1.5 crore downloads. The platform reaches audiences in over 130 countries, with an interface that supports more than 10 languages and content available in over 26 languages.
The platform's library includes more than 24,000 titles and 15,000 hours of content. It features over 140 television channels, 220 radio services, the PM e-Vidya channel, and various educational programs. Additionally, users can read e-books and magazines such as Yojana and Kurukshetra. Waves has also initiated digital distribution efforts related to the railways and integration with ONDC.
To promote public participation, 'MyWaves' was launched on March 23, 2026. This platform allows citizens to create, upload, and share their own original content, enabling them to evolve from passive viewers into active creators. As part of this initiative, the 'Gems of India' challenge was introduced, with its pilot phase beginning on July 21, 2026, across six states and union territories. Under this challenge, citizens were invited to submit videos of one to three minutes highlighting the culture, heritage, tourism, and local achievements of their respective districts.
To connect these digital initiatives on a global scale, the 'World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit' (Waves Summit) was organized. The first edition took place in Mumbai from May 1 to May 4, 2025. More than 10,000 delegates from over 100 countries participated in the summit. Through the Waves Market, business transactions worth 1,328 crore rupees were conducted via more than 3,000 meetings, and nearly one lakh registrations from over 60 countries were recorded for the 'Create in India' challenges.
