Viacom18’s free video-on-demand (VOD) channel VOOT is set to launch in India during the first week of April.
As well as content from the network’s portfolio – including its flagship channel Colors – original content will be provided for the service by Endemol Shine India, Saurabh Tiwari Films, Colosceum Media, Frames Production Company, Sunshine Production, Shakutantalam Telefilms and Bodhi Tree, reports Indian Television.
An eight-episode show called Soadies is being produced by Frames, looking at how MTV’s long-running youth TV show Roadies has influenced family behaviour, while Colosceum Media is at work on a dating reality show for the new VOD platform.
“With VOOT, we set out to leverage an already digitally engaged audience with our content offerings. VOOT will not only be the singular and exclusive destination for Viacom18’s content portfolio, but will have an equally strong focus on original programming created especially for the platform. The brand mission of VOOT is to create a whole new world of entertainment, filled with happy discoveries and addictive content,” said Sudhanshu Vats, group CEO, when the service was announced in October 2015.
Revenue for VOOT will be gathered through advertising rather than subscriptions. Digital advertising revenue in India is expected to grow to INR4.66 million from INR3.4 in 2015, accounting for 9.5% of overall advertising revenue, according to media buyers GroupM.
VOOT will compete with other-over-the-top (OTT) service providers like Netflix, Hotstar, Sony Liv, ditto TV, ErosNow and HOOQ.
An eight-episode show called Soadies is being produced by Frames, looking at how MTV’s long-running youth TV show Roadies has influenced family behaviour, while Colosceum Media is at work on a dating reality show for the new VOD platform.
“With VOOT, we set out to leverage an already digitally engaged audience with our content offerings. VOOT will not only be the singular and exclusive destination for Viacom18’s content portfolio, but will have an equally strong focus on original programming created especially for the platform. The brand mission of VOOT is to create a whole new world of entertainment, filled with happy discoveries and addictive content,” said Sudhanshu Vats, group CEO, when the service was announced in October 2015.
Revenue for VOOT will be gathered through advertising rather than subscriptions. Digital advertising revenue in India is expected to grow to INR4.66 million from INR3.4 in 2015, accounting for 9.5% of overall advertising revenue, according to media buyers GroupM.
VOOT will compete with other-over-the-top (OTT) service providers like Netflix, Hotstar, Sony Liv, ditto TV, ErosNow and HOOQ.
