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<keyword id="20934456" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-safety-regulator" source="keywords">Food safety regulator</keyword> <keyword id="20225209" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FSSAI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="FSSAI" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="FSSAI">FSSAI</keyword> on Thursday said it is in the process of collecting pan-India samples of Nestle's Cerelac <keyword id="21363372" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="baby-cereals" source="keywords">baby cereals</keyword>, amid a global report that claimed the company was adding higher <keyword id="21343237" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sugar-content" source="keywords">sugar content</keyword> in the product. "We are collecting samples (of Nestle's Cerelac baby cereals) from across the country. It will take 15-20 days to complete the process," Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao told PTI on the sidelines of an Assocham event on food fortification. FSSAI is a statutory body under the administration of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The move comes following concerns about alleged high sugar content in Nestle's baby food products expressed by both the consumer affairs ministry and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) after taking note of a global report published by Swiss NGO Public Eye. The global report has claimed that Nestle sold baby products with higher sugar content in less developed South Asian countries including India, Africa and Latin American nations as compared to markets in Europe. However, Nestle India has maintained that it never compromises on compliance and it has reduced added sugar in baby food products in India by up to 30 per cent depending on variants over the past five years. Earlier, addressing the Assocham event, the FSSAI CEO highlighted the importance of food fortification for human health and called for fortification beyond rice to include millets and other alternative foods. FMCG firms have introduced varieties of millet-based products in the last few years and they can further expand the basket of nutritional foods in the country, he added. The CEO also unveiled an Assocham's knowledge report 'Fortifying India's Future: Significance of Food Fortification and Nutrition' on the occasion. LT Foods Global Branded Business CEO Vivek Chandra, Shariqua Yunus of World Food Programme, Fortify Health CEO Tony Senanyake and Farm to Fork Solutions CEO Umesh Kamble also spoke about food fortification. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jiocinema-introduces-new-ad-free-premium-plans-starting-at-29/articleshow/109581033.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jiocinema-introduces-new-ad-free-premium-plans-starting-at-29/articleshow/109581033.cms" target="_blank">An Ambani disruption in OTT: At just ₹1 per day, you can now enjoy ad-free content on JioCinema</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-narzo-70-narzo-70x-5g-smartphones-launched-in-india-starting-at-11999/articleshow/109557895.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-narzo-70-narzo-70x-5g-smartphones-launched-in-india-starting-at-11999/articleshow/109557895.cms" target="_blank">Realme Narzo 70, Narzo 70X 5G smartphones launched in India starting at ₹11,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-let-loose-event-scheduled-for-may-7-ipads-expected-to-be-launched/articleshow/109553148.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-let-loose-event-scheduled-for-may-7-ipads-expected-to-be-launched/articleshow/109553148.cms" target="_blank">Apple Let Loose event scheduled for May 7 – New iPad models expected to be launched</a>

FSSAI in process of collecting pan-India samples of Nestle's Cerelac baby cereals: CEO

The government has made it mandatory for <keyword id="5293670" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ott-platforms" source="Orion">OTT platforms</keyword> to display an anti-tobacco health warning as a prominent static message at the bottom of the screen during the period of a tobacco product being displayed or used in a programme, the Rajya Sabha was told on Tuesday. The government notified the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Rules, 2023 on May 31, Minister of State for Health SP Singh Baghel said in a written reply. According to the amended rules, every publisher of online curated contents displaying tobacco products or their use has to display anti-tobacco health spots, for a minimum 30 seconds each at the beginning and middle of the programme. They have to display anti-tobacco health warning as a prominent static message at the bottom of the screen during the period of display of the tobacco products or their use in the programme, and also display an audio-visual disclaimer on the ill-effects of tobacco for a minimum 20 seconds each in the beginning and middle of the programme, Baghel said in his written reply. Moreover, all compliance is ensured as per Rule (6) of the Amendment Rules, 2023 through an inter-ministerial committee consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Now, OTT platforms must display anti-tobacco warnings onscreen

OTT platforms in India produce a wide range of material for viewers each month. In the forthcoming month of June, 2023, many much anticipated OTT releases are expected to be published. Let's take a look at some of most awaited list: 'Asur 2' Viewers are anxiously anticipating the second season of this legendary criminal drama series following the success of the previous season. JioCinema will offer this web series starring Arshad Warsi without charge. For an overview of the plot, viewers can watch its first season on the <keyword id="3113913" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="voot" source="Orion">Voot</keyword> app. <keyword id="662858" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="release-date" source="Orion">Release Date</keyword>: June 1 'Mumbaikar' The plot revolves around the happiness, drama, joy, and romance that Mumbai residents experience on a daily basis. Release Date: June 2 'Scoop' A well-known crime reporter battles for justice in the death of a journalist and gets in trouble with the media, the police, and Mumbai's underworld as a result. This Netflix original series is based on Jigna Vora's book Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison. Release Date: June 2 'School Of Lies' The main character of this new criminal thriller starring <keyword id="6366186" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nimrat-kaur" source="Orion">Nimrat Kaur</keyword> is a young child who gets lost in a dormitory. As a number of kids and staff enter the vision linked with the scenario, this one incidence completely affects the climate of the school. Disney Plus Hotstar will host the world premiere of The School of Lies. Release Date: June 2 'Bloody Daddy' This Ali Abbas Zafar-directed film starring <keyword id="6355887" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shahid-kapoor" source="Orion">Shahid Kapoor</keyword> will air on JioCinema. Release Date: June 9 'The Night Manager 2' This exciting thriller is perfect for those who enjoy beautiful scenery and lavish drama. The main character of this programme is Shaan, a night manager on a mission to bring down prominent arms dealer <keyword id="17568574" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shailendra-rungta" source="Orion">Shailendra Rungta</keyword>. This program's second season will run on Disney Plus Hotstar. Release Date: June 30 SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/imd-issues-yellow-alert-for-delhi-after-rain/articleshow/100641439.cms">IMD issues 'yellow' alert for Delhi after rain</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-becomes-a-global-leader-by-regulating-anti-tobacco-warnings-on-ott-platforms/articleshow/100642342.cms">India becomes a global leader by regulating anti-tobacco warnings on OTT Platforms</a>

OTT releases to watch for June, 2023

<ul><li>Regulation of OTT platforms and digital news providers will now fall under the gambit of the Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) Ministry instead of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY).</li><li>With the winter session of parliament right around the corner, many are nervous that this could indicate more than just the changing of the guard. </li><li>Here are the burning unanswered questions that the online community is wondering about.</li></ul>The regulation of OTT platforms like <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>, HotstarDisney+, Amazon Prime Video and others has been pulled from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) and handed off to the Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) Ministry. Aside from the changing of the guard, the government is yet to shed light on what it actually means for the OTT channel and news content curators themselves. One can only assume that a new regulatory framework will be put in place to address the challenges that have cropped in recent years. The winter session of Parliament is also right around the corner. “Although there is little to no clarity about what this entails for different types of intermediaries, platform and content creators, it portends a regime with more interference from the Ministry of I&amp;B and less reliance on self-regulation by the OTT platforms extending the censorship heavy legacy to the Internet,” technology lawyer and founder of the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) told Business Insider. Despite the ambiguity, Internet Freedom Foundation chair and founder of SaveTheInternet Raman Chima, also believes that this is more than just a reorganisation of departments. “It does indicate government intent. That is definitely worrying. This change was made without any proper public consultation,” he explained on <a href="https://twitter.com/tame_wildcard/status/1326553154893217795">Twitter</a>. Here are some of the unanswered questions around what the change in regulations could mean for OTT platforms and news content providers: <ul><li>Will the government be holding a discussion with stakeholders before implementing new regulations?</li></ul>Some experts believe that there is a trend in the making. First, the government added a regulatory structure around foreign direct investment (FDI) and now, it’s looking to regulate content. <ul><li>Will the new regulations be on par with current regulations currently in place?</li></ul>The key obstacle they will face is that, at a technical level, broadcast, print and digital aren’t the same. This will make treating them as the same increasingly difficult. <ul><li>How will user-generated content be regulated on platforms like YouTube, Facebook and others?</li></ul>While OTT platforms curate content and are responsible for what goes up on the platform, YouTube and Facebook are ‘intermediaries’. This means that they do take any responsibility for the content that is posted on their site, and instead pass the buck onto individual users. <ul><li>How will digital news media be defined? Will personal channels like Dhruv Rathi and Akash Banerjee come under digital news media?</li></ul>The mediums used to dispense the news in the digital era expands well beyond the written word or even structured news publications. There are influencers like Dhruv Rathi analysing the news, personalised newsletters that people can subscribe to, instagram alerts and so much more. The new regulations will have to define what amounts to news, and what does not. <ul><li>Will every news organisation on the internet will have to register itself?</li></ul>Not every news publication exists in the brick-and-mortar world, some are only digital. In fact, the freedom to register a website and dispense content at a minimal cost is of the primary pros of being on the internet. But non-digital news organisations have to register and get government approval before they can take off. If the same applies to the online world, it should lead to a drastic cut in the number of publications able to report the news. <ul><li>Will this mean nobody can post on YouTube or Facebook if they’re not registered?</li></ul>In addition to channels and influencers, day-to-day users also express their opinion and share the news online. Like FM channels, will this mean that those who are not registered will no longer be allowed to post about the news on social networking hubs like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube? Will generic vlogs be flagged or taken down should they make mention of any current events? <ul><li>Will there be a cap on subscriptions and memberships, or a minimum rate that can be charged?</li></ul>News publications and individuals are also offering newsletters and subscriptions. The new slew of regulations hold the potential to cap the number of people who can sign up. They could also dictate a ceiling price that would limit how much can be charged for such services. <ul><li>Is the government going to block any news outfit or OTT that’s not registered in India?</li></ul>In addition to the publications in India, it’s uncertain what the regulations will mean for foreign entities. While they do report on India, without registering with the government on par with print regulations the government may block access. <ul><li>Will content rules for OTT platforms now be the same as the ones for television channels?</li></ul>Television channels have to adhere to strict rules about what can and cannot be said while OTT platforms do not. This has been one of the critical reasons behind the success of shows like Sacred Games, or Mirzapur. <ul><li>Will movies that release exclusively on the internet now require a certification from the licensing board?</li></ul>Movies that get released online don’t need to be licensed by Central Board of Film Certification. But with the I&amp;B Ministry at the helm, they may have to adhere to the rules and regulations of the board, which many fear will restrict creative expression. The way news is disseminated is also diversifying. Publications have alerts on WhatsApp and Telegram, others have personalised newsletters, and most are spread across difficult mediums — from text to video to podcasts. Individual states already have anti fake-news task forces within their ranks that have thus far proven ineffective, other than in cases on anti-government news deemed to be misleading. Given the wide array of complications in implementing blanket regulations, the task will be nearly impossible to execute. So, what remains to be seen, is what the government’s intent is behind bringing a new regulatory authority for OTT platforms and news content providers. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/google-photos-will-no-longer-offer-free-and-unlimited-photo-uploads-starting-june-next-year/articleshow/79184955.cms">Google Photos' most endearing feature is going out the window starting June next year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/psu-bank-employees-wage-revision-finalised-after-three-years-of-waiting-only-a-1500-increase-in-salary-for-officers/articleshow/79166497.cms">PSU bank employees wage revision finalised after three years of waiting — only a ₹1,500 increase in salary for officers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/instagram-down-users-complain-of-frozen-timelines-and-likes/articleshow/79146012.cms">Instagram down for a second consecutive day — Facebook is working on a fix but has not disclosed what's wrong</a>

Unanswered questions as regulation of OTT platforms and digital news providers moves from one government department to another

<ul><li>Following the controversy around the Saif Ali Khan-starrer <keyword id="1299578" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tandav">Tandav</keyword> when several FIRs were filed against it, Unio Minister <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> has announced that the <keyword id="82970" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Information-and-Broadcasting">Ministry of Information and Broadcasting</keyword> will soon come out with a set of guidelines to regulate it.</li><li>The move is a response to the multiple complaints received against several web series on various platforms.</li></ul>In view of the rising number of complaints received against content on various <keyword id="2354450" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Over-the-top">Over-the-Top</keyword> (<keyword id="1245953" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="OTT">OTT</keyword>) platforms, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will soon come out with a set of guidelines to regulate it, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said. Over the past few weeks, Saif Ali Khan-starrer Tandav on Amazon Prime received a lot of criticism with multiple FIRs being filed against it in several states. The ministry had received several complaints against Tandav for its depiction of Hindu Gods in the show and for hurting religious sentiments of people. The announcement by the Union Minister closely follows the controversy. Films and serials released on OTT platforms and digital newspapers do not come under the purview of the Press Council Act, Cable Television Networks (<keyword id="163506" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="regulation">Regulation</keyword>) Act or Censor Board and therefore there will be some guidelines soon to regulate the content, Javadekar said during a press conference. In November last year, the government brought OTT platforms under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s ambit. Previously, these platforms used to come under the <keyword id="3428254" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-electronics-and-information-technology">Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</keyword>.

Following the Tandav controversy, government to start regulating OTT content

<ul><li><keyword id="5293670" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="OTT-platforms">OTT platforms</keyword> and <keyword id="10257445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="news-content-providers">news content providers</keyword> in India will no longer be regulated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) but by the Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) Ministry instead. </li><li>The changing of the guard comes with its own set of challenges like figuring out how user-generated content will be handled versus curated content.</li><li>The <keyword id="57751" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IB-ministry">I&amp;B Ministry</keyword> will also have to figure out how to navigate the multilingual landscape where more and more players are popping up by the day.</li></ul><keyword id="2976376" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Prime-Video">Amazon Prime Video</keyword>, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and other over-the-top (OTT) platforms will no longer fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Instead, their content will be regulated by the Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) Ministry, according to a notification signed by India's President Ram Nath Kovind. This is contrary to the ‘self regulation’ that the platforms prefer. However, the move has not come as a surprise. “Convergence of various ministries is extremely necessary with changes that are coming only in the country but also beyond,” said Amit Khare, secretary of the I&amp;B Ministry, during a <a href="https://eframes.24x7attend.in/">FICCI webinar</a> back in July when he hinted that a changing of the guard may be in the works. <div type="twitter" handle="barandbench" handlename="Bar &amp; Bench" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1304761912068984833/5-qPfQOb_normal.jpg" favoritecount="295" retweetcount="74" status="Cabinet Secretariat amends Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules to bring online news and current affa… https://t.co/JwWP7pEVYN" createdat="1605072916000" id="1326398066203758592"></div> Distinguishing between user-generated content and curated content According to the Counterpoint analyst Tarun Pathak, the change in regulation marks a significant change. But the challenge now will be to distinguish between streaming platforms that curate content — like Netflix, Amazon Prime and others — and platforms that host user-generated content, which includes the likes of YouTube and Facebook. The latter are deemed ‘intermediaries’ under the IT Act and do not have active control over the content available on such platforms. The IT Act also recognizes this distinction between different platforms. It is uncertain as of right now whether that same distinction will be made under the I&amp;B Ministry's rule as well. The surge in online content The regulatory regimes for platforms in India — print, radio, television, films, and now, OTT — have largely been developed as per the platform. Some are self-regulated, some are pre-regulated, some are post-regulated and one still stands unregulated. Until now the likes of Amazon, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and others fell under the jurisdiction of the MeitY since they are digital solutions. Moreover, at the time of the formation of the IT Act, the OTT platforms had limited penetration. And, since then, their content has been largely unregulated with the exception of any self-regulation they put in place for themselves. The explosion in use of these platforms due to cheap smartphones and affordable data tariffs made the debate on regulation inevitable. “As many platforms are user content-driven and multilingual, it is almost impossible to set up a film like certification system. The internet by nature is free to circulate content, and there is always a very thin line between regulation and censorship,” Tanu Banerjee, the Media &amp; Entertainment Partner at Induslaw, told Business Insider. “In my view, it should be a collaborative approach between the Govt and OTT platforms players to come up with a mechanism to make the internet a better place for its users.” I&amp;B vs MeitY Two years ago, I&amp;B formed a committee to devise ways to regulate online media and other Internet content was <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ministry-of-information-and-broadcasting-panel-to-be-replaced-soon/story-xZEXuPqIyoitGmRyFIt3gN.html">disbanded</a> after the Prime Minister’s cabinet was reshuffled. Its mandate was handed over to a panel overseen by MeitY. Then earlier this, when the topic of regulation was broached again, MeitY asserted that the Information Technology (IT) Act 2000 and its intermediary guidelines governed the conduct for all third party content — including content pushed by OTTs. This meant that the regulation of online platforms stands with MeitY, not the I&amp;B Ministry. I&amp;B, on the other hand, has been asking streaming services to come up with a code of conduct and finalise the details of the Digital Content Complaints Committee (DCCC), similar to the Broadcast Content Complaints Committee (BCCC). It was only in September 2020, that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/self-regulation-code-adopted-by-disney-hotstar-amazon-prime-and-other-ott-platforms-what-is-this-code/articleshow/78009955.cms">17 large OTT players signed a self regulation code to govern content on their platform</a>, which included the mandate to have a DCCC set up. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/checkout-here-bihar-assembly-election-2020-results-and-updates-online/articleshow/79142084.cms">Bihar Election Results 2020: Final tally puts NDA in the majority with 125 seats as RJD remains the single largest party</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/americans-cant-resist-the-alibaba-singles-day-sales-us-tops-in-gmv-for-sales-from-the-chinese-e-commerce-giant-so-far/articleshow/79165246.cms">Americans can’t resist the Alibaba Singles’ Day Sales – US tops in GMV for sales from the Chinese e-commerce giant so far</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/psu-bank-employees-wage-revision-finalised-after-three-years-of-waiting-only-a-1500-increase-in-salary-for-officers/articleshow/79166497.cms">PSU bank employees wage revision finalised after three years of waiting — only a ₹1,500 increase in salary for officers</a>

The likes of Hotstar, Netflix and even news content providers will now be regulated by the I&B Ministry, contrary to what the platforms would like

<ul><li>The pandemic and the ensuing lockdown has changed our lives, perhaps forever. It has brought about many behavioural changes among consumers. While some were temporary, there are many that will perhaps become permanent.</li><li>People discovered the many conveniences of <keyword id="1245953" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ott" source="Orion">OTT</keyword> platforms during the last 2 years and the sector is only expected to grow from here.</li><li>Baskar Subramanian, Co-founder and CEO, <keyword id="751982" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amagi" source="Orion">Amagi</keyword> writes why OTT is getting consumer love and why the streaming media is here to stay. </li></ul>The pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns completely transformed our entertainment experience. From 'Let's go for a good movie', we moved to 'What should we watch on <keyword id="128682" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="netflix" source="Orion">Netflix</keyword>?'. Movie premiers and live sporting events like IPL and others have moved to OTT. For example, Netflix released the Kangana Ranaut starrer Thalaivi and Zee5 released Bob Biswas starring Amitabh Bachchan exclusively on OTT platforms. Homegrown web series like The Family Man, Sacred Games, Aarya, Special Ops, Aashram, Mirzapur and more undoubtedly elevated the popularity of OTT platforms among the tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z population who had embraced OTT over Cable TV or DTH subscriptions even before the onset of the pandemic. Post the pandemic, however, the trend has only increased, fuelled by the many conveniences that OTT offers over traditional broadcast. With streaming TV, the fight for the remote is laid to rest. Every person in a household can watch their favorite shows on their personal devices. Content can be viewed even while travelling, and consumers are spoilt for choice with languages, content variety, and on-demand viewing. Consumers have made their preferences clear - more people are cutting the cord, shifting from paid TV subscriptions to internet-based streaming services. Boston Consulting Group predicts that the OTT content market is at an inflection point in India and is likely to reach a market size of $5 billion by 2023. From just two OTT platform providers in 2012 to about 40 players at present, the OTT revolution has come a long way in India. Estimates from Phando Corp suggest that monthly active users (MAUs) for India’s OTT video sector have grown at a blistering rate of 300% since 2019 to reach 680 million in 2021, with rural and tier 2 &amp; 3 cities consumption reaching an 80% share. West Versus India Several factors including the widespread availability of broadband infrastructure, the ubiquity of mobile phones and other connected portable devices, and quest for personalised experiences have spurred the adoption of OTT consumption in the Western world. At the same time, technology investments, the emergence of new apps, features, and independent platforms for OTT content have also been growth drivers. Tech companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Apple, YouTube, connected device providers such as Samsung, Xiaomi, LG, and studios such Disney, MGM, Paramount, Sony are among the major corporations who have entered the OTT space, giving a plethora of programming choices to the consumers in the West. The growth in OTT platforms combined with the subsequent content boom has seen vernacular content from different regions gaining international popularity. South Korean dystopian drama broke all records by becoming the most watched content on Netflix by netizens around the world. Similarly, Indian dramas such as Sacred Games and Delhi Crime were viewed and enjoyed by a global audience. As a result, all eyes are now firmly set on opportunities in emerging economies, specifically in the Indian subcontinent, with major players from the west entering the foray with attractive subscription offers, and diverse content catalogues. Some have chosen to collaborate with or acquire local brands to establish a firmer foothold in the region. For example, with the launch of Disney Plus in the US back in 2019, the streaming service promptly expanded to many other countries, including India. However, instead of getting a dedicated app for Indian users, the company acquired the Hotstar streaming platform and soon rebranded to Disney+ Hotstar. The coming together of Disney and Star TV Network (20th Century Fox) attracted tens of millions of subscribers in India and provided them access to a premium catalogue of content from Disney and Star TV. One of the challenges in India is the ability to monetize online content. Research suggests that the Advertising-led Video on Demand (AVOD) model is far more popular than Subscription-led video on demand (SVOD) models given the reluctance of viewers in India to pay for online content. While about 60% of total video viewing in India happens on YouTube, Netflix has 40 Mn monthly active users. Disney Plus Hotstar too has reached the critical mass with its freemium model, well-supported by relevant collaborations, such as sports (read cricket), which drives volume. Also, a KPMG study reveals that, unlike the West, only 10% of viewers access OTT platforms for watching original content. Rather, OTT is used primarily for the convenience of anytime and personal viewing of movies, music, sports or to catch-up with TV content. Driving OTT Growth in India As a country with a population of 1.23 billion, India is the next big market for OTT platforms. Some of the growth drivers for OTT players in India, based on the precedent from the West include: ● Investments in Content Video streaming services are expected to spend around ₹1,920 crore to create original content for India in 2021, driven in part by the sharp rise in audiences during the 2020 lockdown. The platforms will further increase spends, including on sports, to ₹30,000 crore, during 2021-25, according to the latest FICCI-EY media and entertainment industry report. Around 500 original titles are likely to be released in 2021 across platforms, as opposed to 385 titles in 2019 and 220 in 2020. The investment in original content makes sense given that viewers are learning to pay for the content they consume, especially original content. In 2020, 29 million subscribers paid for 53 million OTT video subscriptions (not counting subscriptions bundled along with data plans), a figure that is estimated to increase to 39 million subscribers for 71 million subscriptions in 2021. Netflix has more than 40 originals scheduled for 2021 and is expanding its slate by nearly three times compared to 2020. Amazon Prime Video has 50 local originals in various stages of development and 30 in various stages of production. Demand for original content will likely double by 2023 compared to 2019 levels. ● Content – the New Battlefield for Viewers Increasing number of consumers from tier-2 and tier-3 cities have spurred the production of regional content. Alt Balaji has seen a change after the pandemic. Before the pandemic, the top 8 cities in India contributed to 70% of their total audience; post-April 2020, 60% of the traffic is from other tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Old favourite shows are being re-aired on OTT platforms, while investments in new content production continue. Recently Amazon announced the acquisition of MGM, for $8.45 billion, giving it access to MGM’s library of 4000 film titles and 17,000 TV shows. We have witnessed the emergence of a wide variety of content including Indian content since India has a diverse market with over a dozen languages that are widely spoken across the country. OTT players are shifting their focus towards localisation of their platforms, to be able to connect with the Indian users, be it in terms of regional languages, geography and user experience etc. India already has about 40 OTT players and 10 music streaming apps in existence catering to various entertainment and media demands. This has opened the doors for OTT platforms to promote regional and hyperlocal content. In fact, a leading OTT player recently released 11 shows during the lockdown- all locally curated shows. The share of regional language consumption on OTT platforms is expected to cross 50% of total time spent by 2025, easing past Hindi at 45%. ● Government Regulations The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has, in the past year, stressed the need for some form of regulation of OTT Platforms to streamline the sector. In this regard, the MIB recently notified the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. The new rules require OTT platforms to set up a robust three-tier grievance redressal mechanism. The first level will comprise regulation by the OTT Platform itself through a grievance officer. The second level will be an institutional self-regulatory body formed by publishers of content and their associations. This self-regulatory body will comprise industry experts headed by a retired Supreme Court/ High Court judge /eminent personality in the relevant field. At the third level is an inter-department committee constituted by the MIB that will provide oversight and hear appeals for decisions taken at level two or if a complaint is referred to the inter-department committee by MIB. Regulation might help improve the quality of content in the future. ● The Future of OTT - New Applications and Content Innovations There is no doubt that the future of <keyword id="6357922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="television" source="Orion">television</keyword> is OTT, and the industry is at a nascent stage. Content is the force that defines the direction of evolution in the industry. New applications such as learning, education and fitness are being explored. Pricewaterhouse Coopers reported that in 2018, more than 40% of new internet users in the world were children. Edtech platforms like Byjus and Unacademy use the OTT streaming approach for education. Similarly, possible applications for learning management in corporations are being explored. While fitness was never considered an activity that could be done remotely, the pandemic saw this notion change. According to a Bobble.AI report, besides video conferencing apps and websites, fitness applications such as Lose Weight, Cure.fit, recorded a 104.53% rise in daily active users. Video streaming platforms are also creating content to cater to this trend. Disney+ Hotstar has partnered with Brilliant Wellness, to introduce content from its fitness experts, yoga, and spiritual gurus. -- India’s large population and relatively young age demographics make the business environment dynamic and interesting. Digital savvy young consumers in India are spread over a wide geography and have a vast range of preferences, languages and appreciate multi-cultural entertainment. As content and technology come together to create a solution that caters to this unique business environment, OTT and streaming media are here to stay.

How India is ‘Cutting the Cord’ to drive an OTT revolution

<ul><li><keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword> and <keyword id="2739840" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hotstar">Hotstar</keyword> are reportedly planning to adopt an ‘unofficial code’ to censor their online video content. </li><li><keyword id="758541" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Prime">Amazon Prime</keyword> is already self-censoring as seen after the release of “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” where nudity was blurred out. </li><li>Netflix and Hotstar are already in hot water in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> with PILs filed against them over sexually explicit content and gore.</li></ul>To censor or not to censor has been the center of heated debates when it comes to creative freedom in India. Even though Netflix and Hotstar don’t fall under the purview of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), they’re thinking about self-censoring to avoid trouble, according a report by Reuters. Amazon <keyword id="2189512" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-video">Prime Video</keyword> has already gone down the path of self-censorship. After the release of “Marvelous Mrs.Maisel” on December 5, all the scenes containing nudity were blurred out. Netflix and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/topic/Hotstar">Hotstar</a> also plan on adopting an ‘unofficial code’ that will reportedly prohibit content that shows children ‘engaged in real or simulated sexual activities’, is ‘disrespectful’ of the Indian flag or ‘encourages terrorism’. Regulation vs <keyword id="6425075" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="censorship">censorship</keyword> In an e-mailed statement to Business Insider, Netflix denied the network is censoring content, but only adhering to a set of ‘<keyword id="134154" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="self-regulation">self regulation</keyword>’ code along with six other online content providers that seeks to empower consumers to make ‘viewing choices that are right for them and their family’ among other goals. However, a closer examination of the draft of the self-regulation code seen by Business Insider reveals that signatories to the code will be expected to comply with a clause, ‘Prohibited Content’, which appears to restrict the kind of content that can be produced by creators, including content which ‘deliberately and maliciously intends to outrage religious sentiments of any class, section of community’. Here’s the ‘prohibited content’ code reproduced in full: 
 
 





	
 
 
 <div type="image" title="Source" msid="67587815" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Copy of the &amp;#39;Prohibited Content&amp;#39; section in the consolidated draft of the &amp;#39;Code of Best Practices for Online Curated Content Providers&amp;#39;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>








 The oncoming threat of government regulation This development comes at a time when <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=netflix&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Netflix</a> is already fighting a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sacred-games-netflixs-first-original-tv-series-from-india-faces-legal-heat-for-unflattering-reference-to-assassinated-prime-minister/articleshow/65084167.cms">legal battle</a> over their first original series in India, “<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/netflixs-first-original-series-from-india-sacred-games-is-an-addictive-crime-thriller-with-a-100-on-rotten-tomatoes/articleshow/64921232.cms">Sacred Games</a>”. Implementing self regulation may be the easiest way for online streaming platform to hedge their bets against government censorship. Last year, Justice For Rights Foundation, a local non-profit, <a href="https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/delhi-hc-seeks-indian-govts-response-on-a-plea-to-regulate-netflix-amazon-prime-video/66629450">filed a case</a> against Netflix, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=prime+video&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Amazon Prime Video</a> and Hotstar asking for government regulation over online content over concerns of sexually explicit content. The hearing is scheduled for February. On December 6, the Bombay High Court <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/pil-seeks-regulation-of-web-series-5389518/">ruled</a> for Indian ministries to set up pre-screenings and committee to monitor web series after a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed against online streaming platforms raising concerns against gory content and sexually explicit scenes. The PIL, filed by Divya Gontiya, stated, “The screening of pornographic contents, vulgar gestures and talks are overriding the Indian culture and morality.” There’s already a certain level of regulation While Netflix and Hotstar don’t openly censor content, they do have their own ratings in place. Every show online has an age-appropriate rating along with disclaimers that identify if there is nudity, foul language, or violence. After that it’s up to viewer to apply their own discretion. But implementing censorship will have a bigger impact on creators than on viewers. Online video streaming platforms have finally given Indian writers and directors the space to create content without having to look over their shoulders. If audiences truly disapprove of a certain show for its violence or nudity, the film or web series is unlikely to be successful anyway. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/netflix-is-pushing-back-against-a-legal-petition-seeking-the-removal-of-an-unflattering-reference-to-an-assassinated-indian-prime-minister-in-sacred-games-its-first-indian-original-series/articleshow/65327640.cms">Netflix is pushing back against a legal petition seeking the removal of an unflattering reference to an assassinated Indian Prime Minister in 'Sacred Games,' its first Indian original series</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/netflix-dominates-internet-traffic-just-not-in-asia/articleshow/66084836.cms">Netflix dominates internet traffic, just not in Asia</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-mental-health-clinic-just-treated-its-first-case-of-netflix-addiction/articleshow/66135502.cms">Indian mental health clinic just treated its first case of ‘Netflix addiction’</a>

After Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hotstar plan to go down the path of self-censorship in India

<ul><li>In addition to governing OTT and <keyword id="1020663" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-media-platforms">social media platforms</keyword>, the government has also put out new rules for <keyword id="1392420" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-news">digital news</keyword> companies.</li><li>Digital news can be anything from press conferences to analysis pieces regardless of whether they’re socio-political, economic or cultural in nature.</li><li>Digital news organisations are facing a 30-day deadline to register themselves with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).</li></ul>The Indian government has come up with a new set of rules and regulations to regulate social media platforms, messaging services, OTT platforms and news portals. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="81208643" title="Facebook and Twitter have a ton of new rules to abide by in India ⁠— WhatsApp may find itself in the toughest spot of all" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> News content in print and television media is regulated by laws specific to each medium, and no such laws were applicable to digital news till now. Digital news portals have now been brought under the ambit of the rules governing print and television media. A wide net for what can be considered to be news In a move to level the playing field vis-à-vis print and television media, the Rules now require digital news portals to comply with norms of the Press Council of India, and the Programme Code under Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995. The term ‘news and current affairs’ was not previously defined under any legislation and created ambiguity. The Rules define ‘news and current affairs’ in a wide manner and may bring within its purview content which is not traditionally considered news. “‘News and current affairs content’ includes newly received or noteworthy information, including analysis, especially about recent events primarily of socio-political, economic or cultural nature, available over the internet or computer networks,” define the new IT Rules. Register yourself if you want to be in the news business All digital news portals are required to furnish their information to the MIB within 30 days of the notification of the Rules. Overall, the Rules are a significant departure from the existing framework and impose considerable compliances for digital media. Digital media has provided Indian users an easy and accessible way to express themselves. While the Rules aim to tackle problematic and unlawful content, whether a balance between freedom and regulation will be achieved, remains to be seen. Digital platforms will have to establish prescribed procedures and mechanisms to comply with the Rules and implementation of several processes will need further clarity. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-signal-and-telegram-face-a-catch-22-situation-as-indias-new-social-media-rules-threaten-encryption/articleshow/81221070.cms">Whatsapp, Signal and Telegram face a catch-22 situation as India’s new social media rules threaten encryption</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/facebook-and-twitter-have-a-ton-of-new-rules-to-abide-by-in-india-whatsapp-may-find-itself-in-the-toughest-spot-of-all/articleshow/81208643.cms">Facebook and Twitter have a ton of new rules to abide by in India ⁠— WhatsApp may find itself in the toughest spot of all</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-government-assumes-the-right-to-block-digital-news-content-along-with-a-new-set-of-regulations/articleshow/81209053.cms">Indian government assumes the right to block digital news content along with a new set of regulations</a>

OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious

<ul><li>From buying groceries to ordering a paracetamol, the lockdown forced the entire nation to avail digital services. </li><li>It has opened up an opportunity for Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms to rise to the situation and curate a seamless streaming experience for their consumers as they are quarantined 24x7.</li><li>Shashank Singh, CEO &amp; Founder, <keyword id="9574458" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="flyx">FLYX</keyword> writes how innovation in storyline is the key factor that is fuelling the growth of OTT platforms and why OTT needs to be censorship-free. </li></ul>Times are tough for businesses across industries, including the entertainment industry. Though theatres have been opened with limited capacity, the unprecedented growth and breakthrough of OTT platforms have been undeniably unparalleled. Even though the charm of cinemas and going to a theatre can never be replaced by streaming platforms, it is interesting to acknowledge and recognize how far we have come along in our content-viewing journey. During the past few months of the global pandemic, people staying at home around the world have turned to various streaming services for entertainment. The once advocated hypothesis that there are not enough hours in the day to consume content has changed, and streaming services worldwide are seeing a<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21195358/streaming-netflix-disney-hbo-now-youtube-twitch-amazon-prime-video-coronavirus-broadband-network"> huge spike in traffic.</a> According to a report by ACT Fibernet called ‘State of Internet Traffic Trend’, India saw a staggering 55% hike in overall streaming traffic during the lockdown1. Various industry reports throw light on the popularity of homegrown OTT platforms. Indian player Disney+Hotstar has the most number of subscribers, followed by Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. This is mainly due to the local language content available on Disney+Hotstar that appeals to the majority of Indians.2 According to a recent PwC report, India is currently the world’s fastest growing OTT (over-the-top streaming) market, and is all set to emerge as the world’s sixth-largest by 2024. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 28.6% over the next four years to touch revenues of $2.9 billion. With covid-19 pandemic resulting in a seven-month shutdown of movie theatres, several producers have taken their films directly to digital platforms which has seen OTT platforms gaining at the expense of cinemas. In 2018, SVoD revenues were a third of India’s total box office revenue but the shift of eyeballs to digital platforms in the medium to long term will ensure India’s movie box office falls by 2.6% over the next four years as SVoD grows by 30.7%. Using technology to gain competitive edge Content is one of the most important factors that makes people subscribe to a streaming video service, but another equally important factor is the ease of use. This is where technology comes into play. Deloitte in its recent <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/digital-media-trends-consumption-habits-survey.html">digital trends survey</a> found that streaming during Covid-19 compared to the pre-pandemic market is not so much ‘before and after’ as it is ‘before and faster’. People are signing up for services quickly and are leaving services even faster. With almost every streaming service offering free trials, consumers are lapping up the trials. However, the real test in retention will come down to technology. Streaming providers have to create a seamless experience for content viewing, and it starts with content discovery. Leaders in this market should look to invest more in technology by offering a great search experience. This means not only making it fast, but also very personalized. Providers will have to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to understand the consumer’s intent and offer the right content at the right time. Streaming Content and Censorship With so much content being produced and added to streaming platforms every day, there has been a growing issue about content censorship across the world. Platforms such as Netflix and Amazon, among others, are receiving <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_in/article/a35jna/netflix-and-amazon-may-have-to-censor-explicit-content-in-india-soon">content removal notices</a> from various governments and authorities. Recently, the debate about regulation and censorship is heating up in India. Patal Lok on Netflix in India has been surrounded by controversy because of violence, sexual content and portrayal of the hypocrisy of upper caste men. Rasbhari too has created a furore because of its sexual content. While currently there is no censorship of OTT platforms, this is likely to change in the future. The Information and Broadcast Ministry of India is proposing that OTT platforms fall under its purview so that they can be regulated just as other media such as TV, radio, films, etc.4 The Future Path Innovation in storyline is the key factor that is fuelling the growth of OTT platforms, and it is currently free from any regulation or censorship before it hits your favourite device. Censorship kills creativity, and this can be easily seen by how good the content of new streaming shows is versus content released in theatres. Streaming content should ideally follow the food industry model, meaning series/ movies should have full disclosures about its contents and allow the consumer to decide if they want to purchase or watch it. Currently, all major <keyword id="10213289" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="streaming-players">streaming players</keyword> are following their own standards. What we need is a regulatory body that standardizes these disclosures and uses technology to audit for compliance, without censoring any content. Here again, artificial intelligence and machine learning could play a big role in automatically classifying the content and generating full disclosures. The next decade in streaming will be very exciting and also very challenging. Winners will not only be decided by who has the best content but also who has the most advanced technology to make the service more intelligent and super easy to use. Ultimately, the streaming wars will empower consumers and revolutionize how they consume media.

You Searched For "OTT regulations" and got 10 results

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How India is ‘Cutting the Cord’ to drive an OTT revolution

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After Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hotstar plan to go down the path of self-censorship in India

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OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious

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