The Indian OTT industry is going through a very competitive curve, more particularly after the arrival of the revamped version of the Jio Cinema streaming platform in a big way. This has put tremendous pressure on rival OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and SonyLIV, who are all vying for the biggest pie. So, besides obviously delivering entertaining and unique content, the need for innovation in the cut-throat OTT space is greater than ever.
So, what can Indian OTT platforms do to outperform others? One way could be to differentiate and to at least gain the first movers’ competitive advantage by way of following one tried and tested modus operandi which the Hollywood film industry often deploys.
Any one of the aforementioned Indian OTT platforms can begin to potentially execute the idea of proactively signing ‘First Look Deals’ with talented Indian filmmakers. This way, they could gain an edge over other rival OTT platforms operating in India.
For the unversed, a first-look deal is typically an agreement between an ‘actor/director/producer/writer and their production company’ and ‘a production company, network, or studio’. The agreement usually states that the latter will pay a development fee to the former for a not-yet-written/under-development film or television project and will have the right to have the first look at the project for prospective production/distribution. And it’s a very common thing in Hollywood.
So, in the context of the Indian OTT industry, an Indian OTT platform, like say, SonyLIV, could shortlist high caliber filmmakers like Hansal Mehta, Anubhav Sinha, Sudhir Mishra, and Tigmanshu Dhulia, and also other relatively new filmmakers who are massively talented and on the same side enlisting their services won’t break the banks of some of the cash-rich OTT players in India.
For instance, if SonyLIV taps Hansal Mehta for a first look deal, then the OTT platform will be the first one to see what the ‘Scam 1992’ helmer is planning to make next. And in case the project appeals to the streaming giant, then Hansal Mehta and SonyLIV can move ahead with a multi-year first look deal or even a more comprehensive deal. The idea has the potential to be the ultimate differentiating factor for the OTT platform which follows this Hollywood way of working regarding ‘First Look Deals’.
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
