Prasar Bharati Opens Sourcing For Feature Films Ahead Of OTT Launch

Prasar Bharati opened applications for rights owner companies, partnership firms, proprietary firms and producers to source feature films on a license fee or royalty basis for its digital and linear platforms. The notice was issued on 24 September with the deadline for application submissions set for 20 October. The pubcaster aims to source approximately 50 feature films to meet the requirements for launching its OTT platform and for weekly drops until the end of the current financial year.

The telecast and streaming schedule, along with the platforms will be determined after the sourcing process is complete, depending on the category, duration and territorial rights acquired for the feature films on various platforms. Applications will be processed on a 'first-come, first-served' basis from the date of notification, in alignment with Prasar Bharati's content requirements and the merit of proposals according to its Content Sourcing Policy.

According to Prasar Bharati, the feature films must be ready-made or produced within the last five years and should not have premiered or been showcased on any other digital platform (for exclusive digital rights) or television network (for exclusive TV rights). Films must hold a U or U/A CBFC Certificate for satellite rights; however, digital rights films without a CBFC Certificate may apply but will be subject to a detailed preview before approval.

All submissions must adhere to Prasar Bharati's Programme Code as well as any relevant guidelines, orders or codes set forth by the government or other regulatory bodies regarding streamed content. Rights owner companies, partnership firms, proprietary firms or producers must not be blacklisted or suspended by any governmental authority.

Prasar Bharati reserves the right to suspend or terminate agreements if any terms are violated in the future and can review the selection process and conditions during the agreement period with a one-month notice, regardless of the number of films sourced. Proposals for the final acquisition of a feature film will only be considered if the rights owner accepts the price offered by the Costing Committee during negotiations; otherwise, the proposal may be rejected.