Viacom18 heats up OTT game with SVoD service Voot Select

Viacom18 has announced the expansion of its digital portfolio by launching Voot Select — the company’s newest foray into the subscription VoD services.

Now available across platforms, Voot Select will house some of the most edgy and disruptive stories crafted by new age and imaginative storytellers. In a first in the Indian industry, Voot Select will bring the best of content from Viacom18’s extensive portfolio of channels on the digital platform 24 hours before the episodes debut on TV!

To bring alive its vision for how digital India views content, Voot Select will house 30+ path-breaking Originals, global content through partnerships with some of the biggest international studios, 1500+ cult blockbuster movies and stream over 35+ live TV channels.

To experience Voot Select, download the Voot app.  One can select this new premium service on Voot, available for Android, iOS and web users for Rs 99 per month or Rs 999 for an annual subscription. A limited period introductory offer of Rs 499 for the annual subscription, was also announced.

Sudhanshu Vats

Speaking about the network’s platform agnostic, content first strategy, Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO and MD, Viacom18, said, “In a short span, Voot has already emerged as one of India’s largest OTT platforms with 100 Mn MAUs and 100 Bn watch minutes. It is India’s most-engaged platform with an average TSV of 50 mins. With projections of aggressive growth in Fibre to Home, Viacom18 is ready to go Digital First. Voot Select is our premium SVoD offering developed to cater to this growing connected TV audience.”

He added, “We’ve put together a very compelling proposition and even pushed the envelope with publishing content 24 hours before TV, clutter-breaking originals and international content. The launch of Voot Select marks a key milestone in our journey to become a future-ready, pipe-agnostic storyteller.”

Voot Select will house exclusive global content from some of the world’s biggest studios, through partnerships with CBS, CBS All Access, Showtime, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Chelsea TV, Arsenal TV, Real Madrid TV, BBC and Sony Pictures, among others.

Gourav Rakshit

Speaking about Voot’s business strategy, Gourav Rakshit, COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures, said, “Voot is the outcome of Viacom18’s vision to create a future ready digital business catering to the evolving digital entertainment needs of every Indian. It is with this focus and a content first approach that we have built Voot Select as a premium platform providing an enhanced viewing experience for our users. Voot Select is “made for stories” that are differentiated and compelling and with them we are determined to be the most sought-after content destination for every Indian.”

In addition to Voot Select Originals and Viacom18 network’s leading shows 24 hours before TV, Voot Select subscribers will also have access to a vast selection of international content including some of the biggest shows from all over the world, global premieres, Live events, exclusive daily talk shows, fashion, sports and lifestyle shows and 1500+ Bollywood & Regional language movies.

Ferzad Palia

Speaking about the unique proposition of Voot Select, Ferzad Palia, Head, Voot Select, Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18, said, “Voot Select has been carefully crafted and designed for today’s ‘on-demand’ generation. We’re proud to give to India a destination that has the country’s largest showcase of stories ranging from Hindi and Regional Originals, Live television channels from across the world, the widest variety of top-drawer international content to ‘24 hour-before-TV’ premieres of our TV network content. Ad free, multi-screen access and a solid recommendation engine will further add to a great entertainment experience for our subscribers.”

Highlighting the massive content suite of Voot Select:

The best of network content 24 hours before TV

Delivering on its digital-first strategy, all the network fiction content on Voot Select will be aired 24 hours before airing on television. All the non-fiction content can be accessed on the platform, 15-30 minutes before its television airing.

Voot Select Originals — stories that must be shared:

Voot Select will captivate its audiences with a diverse array of 30+ Select Originals in multiple local languages. Compelling stories brought to life by some of the country’s best and most loved actors like Arshad Warsi, Rajeev Khandelwal, Barun Sobti, Ahana Kumra, Atul Kulkarni, Saqib Salem, Piyush Mishra, Shriya Pilgaonkar;  directors and storytellers like  Vikram Bhatt, Apoorva Lakhia, Oni Sen, among others,  will entertain, engage and capture the imagination of India. Some of the initial interesting Voot Select Originals will include:

Asur: It is a unique crime thriller that pits two opposing worlds against each other. The less explored, intricate world of forensic science and the deep mysticism of Indian Mythology.  Asur will shine light on everyone’s dark side.

Marzi: Two different stories, some blurred memories, altered culminations and contrasting perspectives of the same incident will take the viewers on a jarring ride of emotions in this intriguing drama Marzi. Would you believe the distressed woman on the quest to prove the truth or the victimised man? Who is lying in this game of lies?

Raikar: In a country where our families are at the heart of our social fabric and the foundation of our lives, ‘The Raikar Case’ is an engaging new series, about family, love, deceit, and the secrets that wrench us apart. Because sometimes the most dangerous people come disguised as family!

Illegal: Two high profile cases, a battery of high-power legal eagles and top law firm of the country. A first-of-its-kind intense, racy legal drama that questions whether lawyers can resist the lure of greed, ambition and power; and fight to win defining judgements that hold the bar of justice high and restore faith in humanity.

Crackdown: A high-octane action drama that keeps you at the edge of your seat with constant twists and turns leading to a larger threat to national security. What do you do when one among you is on the other side?

Diverse suite of international content

Voot Select to offer a wide array of global content experiences through  exclusive and marquee content partnerships with global content studios like CBS, CBS All Access, Showtime, Sony Pictures, Fremantle, BBC, Endemol Shine and more.

Hard hitting and critically acclaimed documentaries/docu series like Murder in the Bayou, 48 Hours, Crimes Of The Century, Whistleblower, Enemies: FBI vs The President; brand new exclusive global premieres like Why Women Kill, The Twilight Zone, Interrogation, BH 90210, Nancy Drew and critically acclaimed shows like Dexter, Californication, Elementary, Madam Secretary, Nurse Jackie will provide the regular dose of drama and entertainment.  Voot select will also be the premier destination for reality with Masterchef USA, Master Chef Junior, Shark Tank, America’s Got Talent, X Factor, Project Runway, Fear Factor, My Kitchen Rules and more. Housing award-winning series by Celebrity Chefs like Martha Stewart, Nigella Lawson and the late Anthony Bourdain, Voot Select will allow users access to some of the best gourmet content from all over the world.

Voot Select will exclusively showcase almost all the biggest daily talk shows such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Entertainment Tonight, Dr. Phil, Daily Mail TV, The Graham Norton Show and more.

Through a partnership with major international channels such as Fashion One, Clubbing TV and Real Madrid TV, the platform will showcase 24 hour Live Streams with access to the biggest fashion events, music festivals and exclusive football content. Fans of Arsenal and Chelsea will also have dedicated, exclusive content through the week. Adding to the diversity the world’s largest 24/7 LGBTQ channel, Revry TV will make its debut in India on Voot Select. The gaming community will also have tons to look forward to, with tournaments from World Poker Tour now available on the service.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com