OTT-based revenues have been dwindling for the past more than one year. Last year, in an interview, producer TG Vishwa Prasad spoke about the "unexpected" changes taking place on the OTT market front. His movies like Mr. Bachchan bore the brunt of this shift. Since then, the pace of deterioration has only accelerated. So much so, even a Chiranjeevi movie has been affected.
Vishwambhara, starring Chiru in a fantastical role, is facing the OTT heat. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, the potential customers, have allegedly abandoned the Mega project. Reportedly, UV Creations has remained tight-lipped about the project's release date owing to the inability to earn something like Rs 40 Cr from OTT rights.
As per a trade analyst, ZEE5, ETV Win and Aha have never been potential customers for big-ticket projects. Even medium-range films are out of reach for these two OTT platforms. Sankranthiki Vasthunam, streaming on ZEE5, is a rare exception.
Telugu films have had a tough time with both Netflix and Prime orphaning them. Many projects have been left high and dry. The only banners which have had it easy with the two streaming giants are: Mythri Movie Makers, Sithara Entertainments, and Dil Raju's Sri Venkateswara Creations.
In due course of time, probably, ZEE5 and ETV Win will increase their bargaining power and acquire Telugu films at lower rates.
