Viacom18 has announced a new video streaming platform dubbed Voot and plans to debut it in India sometime soon. The service plans to source content from the vast array of media its parent company owns, along with original content.
Voot is being launched by Viacom18 Digital Ventures. The OTT service will include channels such as Comedy Central, MTV, MTV Indies, Vh1, Sonic, Colors, Colors Infinity, Nick, Nick Jr, Nick Teen, and Rishtey. It will also showcase films produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures.
Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi thinks the digital video market is set to explode in the next few years and aims to gain a sizable share of the market with Voot. He believes the service is going to set new trends in original programming, but gave no details about the kind of content to expect.
ErosNow recently announced plans to start a subscription-based streaming video service in partnership with Ortel Communications, a broadband and cable TV company. The brand said it had invested $25 million into original content and is in the process of developing web-exclusive serials set to air sometime next year.
Also See: ErosNow partners Ortel to launch movie streaming service
Voot will face competition from several players in the on-demand entertainment space such as Hotstar and Sony Liv. The former is owned by Star India and allows people to watch television shows, Bollywood movies and sports. The latter follows a similar model, showcasing content sourced from Sony’s media portfolio.
The two platforms had launched their own original programs earlier this year. Hotstar has begun airing web series like On Air with AIB and M Bole Toh, while Sony Liv is offering shows such as LoveBytes and Shutter. Voot is also going to face the heat from Ditto TV, Zee Entertainment’s service, and Box TV, the Times of India’s OTT platform.