iWorld
OTT poses regulatory challenges but govt committed to digitisation
NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Rajyavardhan Rathore has said that digital technology platform acted as an equalizer ensuring level playing field and providing equal opportunities for all irrespective of age, region and economic background, but cautioned that techs like OTT posed regulatory challenges too.
Digital technology apart from providing better services, also ensured transparency that enabled plugging leakages at every levels so that the intended benefits trickle down to every citizen, the Minister said here yesterday at the inaugural ceremony of the 23rd International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting, organised by the Broadcasting Engineering Society (BES) that also is holding the BES Expo 2017.
Also present on the occasion were TRAI chairman RS Sharma and Member of Parliament and Zee chairman Subash Chandra. The theme of the event is `Hybrid Technologies in Broadcasting’.
Rathore said that while digital technology offered immense opportunities to reach out to people, it also posed many challenges with regards to content regulation, illegal broadcasts that demanded innovative solutions to address the concerns. The Over the Top (OTT) applications have democratized the reach of content providing a wide range of services especially to young people with smart gadgets.
However, the OTT applications were a concern for regulatory authority as they were not governed by any law, Rathore said, adding that the government was committed to digitization and the latest Union Budget 2017 had included digital economy as one of the key themes that had allotted Rs 10,000 crore (Rs. 100,000 million) for the Digital India program launched by PM Narendra Modi.
The Minister, along with Chandra and Sharma, also felicitated the winners of the awards constituted by Broadcast Engineering Society in various categories such as broadcasting, engineering, training and innovation. The life time achievement award was conferred to BB Srivastava for his outstanding contributions to the radio FM industry.
iWorld
Imdb launches Dekh Bhais to simplify entertainment discovery
New creator-led series hosted by Rohan Joshi and Aaditya Kulshreshth turns scrolling dilemmas into lively conversations.
MUMBAI: Imdb has decided to end the endless “what to watch” scroll with a double tap of desi banter and smart recommendations. The world’s most popular source for movie, TV, and celebrity information has launched Dekh Bhais, a fresh digital series designed to make entertainment discovery fun, relatable, and effortless. Hosted by popular comedians and content creators Rohan Joshi and Aaditya Kulshreshth (better known as Kullu), the show streams across Imdb’s social channels and transforms everyday viewing confusion into candid, opinion-filled conversations.
Produced by Only Much Louder (OML) in collaboration with Imdb, Dekh Bhais cleverly showcases Imdb’s powerful discovery tools including Advanced Search, Interest pages, trending widgets, curated lists, and personalised recommendations through sharp, culturally resonant discussions.
Each episode features the hosts and a guest diving into personal favourites, pop culture references, genre preferences, and unexpected picks. The conversation culminates in a custom Imdb watchlist tailored to the chat, giving viewers a ready-to-binge lineup of recommendations.
Yaminie Patodia, Head of Imdb India, said, “Choosing what to watch today is more complex than ever. With Dekh Bhais, we explore the powerful intersection of personality-led recommendations and the rich insights available on Imdb. It creates a dynamic and entertaining way to navigate an overwhelming range of choices.”
Rohan Joshi shared: “We’ve all had that moment when we want to watch something but end up spending 20 minutes scrolling and second-guessing. Dekh Bhais is basically that scrolling session brought to life, but louder, more opinionated, and hopefully more useful.”
Kullu added: “IMDb has been a big part of my life since childhood. Our show mirrors how we actually discover films and shows in real life through jokes, debates, nostalgia, and strong opinions but it also shows how Imdb can help you cut through the noise.”
The opening slate explores different viewing moods and genres, with more episodes rolling out in the coming weeks. The series is now streaming on IMDb’s Youtube and Instagram channels, and is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
In a world drowning in content choices, Dekh Bhais arrives as the perfect desi shortcut turning “too many options” into “here’s exactly what you’ll enjoy tonight.” With two sharp comedians at the helm and IMDb’s trusted data in the backseat, finding your next favourite watch has never been this entertaining.
