Anjali MathurWhat are the the top streaming platforms in India? Gone are those days when siblings fought for remote to watch their favorite channels on Television. The digital world has become a more comfortable entertainment source now as you can watch it anywhere with a variety of devices you choose to login with (mobile, TV, laptop).
Let us have a look at the top streaming platforms in India.
1. Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American media services provider. In 2016, Netflix surprised the world by switching on in almost 200 countries around the world, including India except for China, Crimea, North Korea, and Syria.
Netflix provides vast multilingual content with a basic plan of Rs 499 per month which offers viewing on one screen while a yearly premium plan is of Rs 799 per head, which can be shared by 4 screens. These plans can be cancelled anytime and SD or HD contents can be downloaded.
Popular shows/movies to watch are Money heist, Dark, Stranger things, Little things, Never have I ever, To all the boys I loved before are popular movies among teenagers.
2. Amazon Prime Videos
Amazon prime videos and music by Amazon was launched in 2016 in India, which allows offline downloads and multiple viewer profiles.
Amazon supports 4K(UHD) and High Dynamic Range(HDR) streaming,1080p(HD)streaming with 5.1 Dolby Digital. However, these title availability depends on device and customer plan.
A 30 days free trial for all users with Rs 129 per month which is auto-renewable at Rs 999 per year is available. Plans can be cancelled anytime.
You can enjoy watching Amazon Originals, movies, TVshows, prime music, prime reading, prime delivery.
Top series present in prime videos are Paatal Lok, Hostel Dazz, Made in Heaven.
3. Disney + Hotstar
It’s a partner of India’s Star TV and recently collaborated with Disney. Available as an app, named as Disney+Hotstar, this platform gives access to star plus TV serials for free with a variety of genres such as romance, thriller, Horror, comedy, wildlife science, animation and many more. Their content is available in Hindi, English, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Bengali, and Telugu.
New users get a free trial of 30 days before the subscription period. There are 2 types of subscription schemes:
a. The ‘VIP subscription’ only gives permission to watch latest serials, sports and Disney animation movies costing 399 INR annually.
b. The ‘Premium subscription’ gives access to premium international films and web series such as Game Of Thrones.
Topmost shows available on Hostar are Aarya, special ops, Hostages, all-star wars films, and many Disney animated movies.
4. ALT Balaji
This streaming Application Launched on 16th April 2017 by Balaji Telefilms ltd., is an Indian subscription-based platform.
Original, bold, premium and tailor-made content focus on the Indians subscribers across the world.
Genres involve comedy, Drama, Romance, Crime, Mystery, and kids majorly in Hindi. Content also available in Bengali, Gujrati, Tamil.
ALTBalaji subscription is affordable as it provides a 3-months subscription for INR 100 only and Annually for INR 300.
5. Eros Now
Eros Digital is an Indian subscription-based streaming media platform launched in 2012. It is accessible on most internet-connected screens such as mobiles, laptops, tv, tablets.
It has a strong range for regional language content in Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada languages.
Eros provides limited free content with no HD screen on basic plan however its basic eros premium plan starts at RS 49per month and Eros plus plan RS 99 per annum, which is quite pocket friendly.
Best shows/movies on Eros are Smoke, Side Hero, Salute Siachen.
6. Zee5
Launched in India in February 2018 Zee5 is an Indian service run by Essel group via its subsidiary Zee Entertainment Enterprises.
Zee app is available on Android, ios, smart TVs, and launched in 12 languages including Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada languages.
Drama, Comedy, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, and Fantasy contents are available in three subscription plans INR 99 Per Month, INR 599 for 6 Months, INR 999 for 12 Months.
Films like Cabret, Karenjit Kaur; shows like Deewar, Mera Naam joker are available on this app.
7. Youtube
Youtube contains tv shows, web series, live streaming, short and documentary films, video blogging, educational videos, and much more content with a facility of upload, comment, rate, share and add to playlist option. It is a user-friendly report feature that customizes the content they need to watch.
A majority of videos are free to watch apart from film rental which includes RS25 to R500
Youtube provides a subscription to add free music streaming and add free access to all content.
8. Voot
Broad-spectrum shows from Viacom 18 contains original shows, kids shows, and content in Hindi, Kannada, Bengali. It gives access to shows of MTV, Nickelodeon, and colours Channels.
It is free of cost. Best shows in this app are stupid Man Smart Phone, It is Not That Simple.
Subscription available at INR 99 per month and INR 499 yearly for ios, android users.
9. SonyLiv
Launched in 2013 by Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt.Ltd serves in UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain besides India.
Content from the Sony Channels and along with English, Hindi and regional movies; Japanese animations mostly in Japanese audio with English subtitles are also present. Currently, sonyLIV is available at INR99 per month and INR499 per year.
SonyLiv Offers a lot of free content including sports channels.
And some handpicked shows are The Handmaid’s Tale, The Kapil Sharma Show, and Men In Black.
10. BIGFLIX
BIGFLIX is India’s First movie on-demand service provided by Reliance entertainment. It is known as ‘Personal Blockbuster Theatre’ that allows you to stream or download movies at any time. It offers a wide range of action, comedy, romance and thrillers as well as a wide range of movies.
This content is available in Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu. Subscription is INR 50 per month and INR 500 per year. This application is available on Mobile phones, PC, Smart TVs, and DT.
Baishaly Roy
Aditi Agrawal
