iWorld
BSNL dials up entertainment with BiTV launch across India
MUMBAI- BSNL isn’t just about dial tones and broadband anymore, it’s now in the business of binge-watching! The state-run telecom giant has teamed up with OTTplay to roll out BiTV, a next-gen internet TV service offering 450+ live channels, including premium content, alongside exclusive shows from Bhaktiflix, Kanccha Lannka, Stage, Shortfundly, Om TV, Playflix, Fancode, Hubhopper, Distro, and Runn TV.
After a successful pilot in Pudicherry, BSNL – India’s public sector telco which has been making waves by snaring wireless (32.68 million) and wired line broadband (4.24 million) subscribers to touch 36.92 million broadbad subscribers – has taken the plunge into pan-India streaming, betting big on its expansive telecom network to deliver seamless, high-quality entertainment straight to users’ smartphones. The PSU also has close to 90 million wired and wireless telephony subscribers.
But in a market flooded with OTT services, can BSNL’s BiTV truly dial up a new era in digital entertainment, or will it be just another signal lost in the noise?
For mobile users of BSNL, getting on BiTV is the simplest thing:
* Visit fms.bsnl.in/iptvreg
* Choose their state, input registered mobile number and get OTP authentication
* Get the OTTplay app through SMS link or download directly from the App Store/Google Play Store
* Login with the registered number and stream away!
BSNL FTTH users aren’t being left behind either. BiTV can be accessed through BSNL Wi-Fi hotspots and FTTH home connections so that users do not have data woes while high-speed streaming is ensured. Non-BSNL users can join the party as well by paying through UPI to access the high-speed Wi-Fi network of BSNL.
BSNL, says in reality, it is trying to build through digital transformation, whereas private telecom giants and OTT disruptors create more competition.
BSNL, chairman & managing director Robert J Ravi at the BiTV launch called it a “game-changing moment, making the company not just a provider of telecom services but enabler of a digital lifestyle. The simplicity of our interface ensures that even the least tech-savvy users can navigate BiTV with ease. This is the first of many efforts to make premium entertainment accessible to our customers, even in areas with limited digital reach,” said Ravi.
The enthusiasm was echoed by OTTPLAY CEO & co-founder AvinashMudaliar who goes thus: “It was a lightning-fast execution of the partnership from discussion on 21 December 2024 to a full-scale national rollout on 30 January 2025. That is practically warp-speed launch in the world of public-sector projects!”
BSNL aims to stream into the future without breaking the bank, BSNL’s secret weapon? Affordability.
While others charge premium for their premium content, BSNL is gifting BiTV free of charge to its customers. It can be streamed in high definition with low data usage through intranet and the navigation is simple and user-friendly.
And the best part? There’s more to come. Mudaliar hinted at an exciting IPL-related announcement in the pipeline, which might turn BiTV into a go-to platform for sports lovers.
Competition is tough with JioCinema, Disney+ Hotstar, and Netflix, and BSNL has its work cut out. But it isn’t just relying on content—it’s leveraging its nationwide network, low-cost model, and accessibility-first approach to break into India’s OTT space.
The big question is: can BSNL sustain the momentum, or will this be another case of a promising public-sector project losing steam?
For now, the company is holding its ground, streaming strong, and promising more surprises ahead. BSNL is no longer just connecting calls; it is now connecting entertainment too.
Wait and watch; the next quarter’s user adoption numbers will show whether BiTV is a blockbuster hit or background noise in India’s OTT revolution!
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
