Dish TV Launches OTT Platform Watcho

Dish TV on Thursday launched its OTT platform called ‘Watcho’, which will primarily focus on short-form content — including original series and user-generated content — besides live and ‘catch-up’ content.

Anil Dua, Executive Director and Group CEO, said: “This strategic move will help us offer content through both traditional and digital media. The OTT platform will help us connect and engage with our exiting DTH subscribers more effectively.”

Mix of subscriber base

Dish TV has a subscriber base of more than 23.6 million.

The Watcho app is available for download and view on the web, Play Store and App store for free.

The OTT platform will follow an advertising-led business model.

“We aim to reach over 10 million users in the first year itself. We believe this will be a mix of our existing DTH subscriber base across our brands — Dish TV and d2h — and other subscribers,” he added.

OTT investments

The company did not comment on the exact quantum of investments on the OTT platform.

During the earnings call for the second quarter of FY2019, the company had said that it has “so far” invested ₹35 crore on capital expenditure and networking equipment for the OTT platform.

Replying to a query on content costs, Dua said while the company will continue to invest in content, it will also be pragmatic about it, given its its short-format.

The OTT platform is making its debut with original content in Hindi, Telugu and Kannada, spread over 20 shows.

Added Akash Tyagi, Head, OTT, Dish TV India: “ Our focus will be on crisp and engaging storytelling which is apt for digital consumption. One of the key differentiators for Watcho will be its user-generated content capability which will provide users a platform to showcase their content.”―The Hindu Business Line