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
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
