The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has formed a panel to oversee the censorship of content shown on OTT platforms. The panel will determine whether OTT content is obscene, against Indian culture, anti-national, or likely to have a bad impact on children.
The RSS believes that some content shown on OTT platforms could have a harmful impact on children and young people. The organisation also views the issue in the context of Indian culture and social values. This is why discussions are under way on the need for stricter rules governing OTT content. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has previously expressed concern over OTT and digital content.
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Will a censorship board be formed for OTT platforms?
No such censor board has been formed so far. The RSS has only set up a panel that will offer suggestions on the issue. The future system, if any, will be decided only after the panel submits its recommendations.
People associated with the organisation have called for a system for OTT platforms similar to the film censor board. If such a system is introduced, OTT content could be reviewed and certified before release.
Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, trade analyst Atul Mohan said, “There should definitely be censorship on OTT platforms. I completely agree with Mr Mohan Bhagwat. Why only cinema? Whether films are consumed on OTT platforms or elsewhere, censorship is essential. India is a large country, and we do not know when, where or how someone’s sentiments may be hurt. There have been several controversies in the past as well.”
Vivek Sharma, director of Bhootnath, says everyone had thought that OTT would help people who were not getting creative freedom in theatres, but the opposite happened. People turned the meaning of creative freedom into obscenity.
How is OTT different from films?
Films released in cinemas have to obtain a certificate from the CBFC, or the Central Board of Film Certification, commonly known as the censor board. A film cannot be released in theatres without it. Films and web series released on OTT platforms, however, do not have to obtain a certificate from the CBFC.
Several OTT platforms have already been banned
Several complaints have been received over content released on OTT platforms for a long time. Following this, strict rules for OTT platforms are also being framed. As many as 50 OTT platforms have been removed over the past two years.
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) blocked five online streaming platforms (OTT) earlier this year. These included MoodXVIP, Koyal PlayPro, Digi Movieplex, Feel and Jugnu. The government said obscene and objectionable content was being shown on these platforms. The content was found to violate the Information Technology Act, 2000, the IT Rules, 2021, Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code and laws related to the portrayal of women in a derogatory manner.
In July last year, 25 OTT platforms, including Ullu-ALT, were banned. In March 2024, the government banned 18 OTT platforms over obscene content. It also blocked 19 websites, 10 apps and 57 social media handles.
When and how did OTT begin in the country?
OTT began in the country in 2008. The first dependent OTT platform was BigFlix. Reliance Entertainment released it in 2008. Later, in 2010, Digivive launched India’s first OTT mobile app, called NexGTV.
- Live IPL streaming boosts popularity In 2013 and 2014, NexGTV became the first app to live-stream IPL matches. Then, in 2015, live IPL streaming made Hotstar, now Disney+ Hotstar, the country’s most popular OTT platform.
- TV shows also came to OTT platforms in 2013 Apps such as DittoTV and SonyLIV were also launched in 2013, and began streaming shows broadcast on channels including Star, Sony, Viacom and Zee. Viewers then started downloading these OTT apps on a large scale and watching their favourite shows whenever they wanted.
- Popularity rose during the coronavirus period In the first three months of the coronavirus period in 2020, OTT platforms in India received 13% more views than in the final three months of 2019. During the first lockdown, ZEE5 saw the highest rise in subscribers at 80%, while 67% of new users subscribed to Amazon Prime.
- According to an Invest India report, users’ time spent on OTT platforms such as Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar increased by 82.63% during the coronavirus period. During the same period, people in the country spent 20.5% more time on free-access platforms such as YouTube.
