Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, and Zee5 are amongst the biggest and the most popular OTT platforms operating in India with the widest reach and in terms of the number of subscribers as of now. But one relatively smaller OTT platform in India is providing one interesting and unique add-on feature which none of the bigger and more popular streaming services in India currently are.
The Indian arm of the OTT platform Mubi gives Indian movie lovers an option to watch the latest Indian theatrical releases in cinemas by subscribing to their app called Mubi Go. The feature was introduced for Indian movie goers back in 2019, was discontinued during COVID-19, and was resumed some time back.
The streaming company Mubi has collaborated with the biggest Indian multiplex chain PVR. Through this partnership, Mubi Go subscribers can claim one free movie ticket every week to see the newest ‘Film of the Week’ selection as displayed in the Mubi Go app subject to certain terms and conditions.
For instance, as of today, you can get one free movie ticket for Mubi Go’s current ‘Film of the Week’ – Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’ in the applicable PVR theatre. And the next week’s title will be some other movie.
The current annual subscription cost for Mubi Go will set you back by Rs.3599/-, that is, Rs.1600/- more than the regular Mubi OTT subscription price. If you spend this much amount for Mubi Go, you’ll be able to watch the relevant movie of the week in the applicable PVR theatre in your city.
So, considering you’re a movie buff who watches at least two movies per month in theatres with an average ticket price of Rs.150/- per film, it will cost you Rs.3600/- per year. That’s the exact yearly subscription cost of Mubi Go, but additionally you will get Mubi OTT platform benefits as well. So, it’s not a bad proposition for interested viewers.
Other Indian OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, and Zee5 can also follow suit. They can give free movie tickets to their subscribers at an extra cost which can help them in both subscriber retention and growth. At least for those films which they do not intend to stream it on their respective OTT platforms. Food for thought. What’s your take on this? Do you think the major OTT platforms in India could benefit by providing free movie tickets similar to how Mubi is doing?