With the digitization of entertainment in this age, the attraction towards OTT (over the top) increased during the lockdown imposed to control the Covid-19.
When people could not go out to watch movies, theatre, viewers chose "digital platform" as their preferred form of entertainment.
OTT (over the top) is a direct-to-consumer content platform that explains the new delivery method of film and TV content over the internet whenever we want, across many different devices, without the need for traditional broadcast, cable or satellite pay-TV providers. In simple terms.
The worldwide streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus Hotstar, G5, Sony Liv, and others are quickly winning over viewers, however, Nepali app remained unpopular.
While shifting to foreign OTT platforms, Nepali video stores, theatres, and apps like Iflix were unable to draw large audiences.
Even though Nepal Rastra Bank has offered a card with a maximum annual spending limit of $500, the popularity of foreign apps is rising.
After failing, Iflix and Movie TV were shut down.
‘Cinamghar’- an app was launched in 2016 in view of attracting the crowd towards digital entertainment.
However, its chairman Khagendra Lamichhane said they have now removed the subscription feature and made it possible to watch movies by paying for them.
Lamichhane, who became a director with his latest film 'Paniphoto' along with an actor, producer, writer, joined Cinemaghar App in 2018.
"When we bring a new film in the app, the audience increases. Films are also earning good income", Chairman Lamichhane said, "We are preparing to bring our own content. However, we do not dare until the lineup is complete."
According to him, their own 'content' will be brought only by making an annual calendar.
He believes that when one of the 'contents' fails while preparing, others will 'hold' the audience.
Omprakash Agarwal, who has run Iflix and video stores, said that there is a risk in OTT due to the problem of piracy.
"The content will not be safe until the perpetrators of piracy are severely punished", said Agarwal, the owner.
The team including director Agarwal, who is preparing an app called 'OSR Play', is bringing the film to the audience through OSR Digital Team Video Shop.
President Lamichhane said that this is happening due to lack of education on piracy.
"After being caught, the perpetrators often say he did it out of fun. Awareness about this should be spread", he said.
Member Phanindra Katwal informed that the Film Development Board is preparing a procedure to regulate and operate to help the digital market.
He said, "We are planning to proceed with the work by creating a procedure related to OTT".
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