In a major move to protect the theater business, senior producer Suresh Babu and a specially formed committee held a crucial meeting at the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. The discussion focused on changing when new Telugu movies can stream on digital platforms.
The 8-Week OTT Window Proposal
The producers’ committee discussed a new policy for all upcoming films. Here are the key highlights:
- Mandatory Gap: Movies should not stream on OTT platforms for at least 6 to 8 weeks after theatrical release
- Current Problem: Many films arrive on OTT within 4 weeks, discouraging audiences from visiting theaters
- Goal: Give theatrical runs more time to maximize collections
Why This Change Matters
The early streaming window has become a growing concern for Suresh Babu and fellow producers. When audiences know a film will stream in 4 weeks, many skip the theatrical experience entirely. This hurts box office collections and threatens the survival of single-screen theaters across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Will This Time Be Different?
Similar discussions have happened before without concrete results. However, with Suresh Babu leading the initiative and backing from major producers, there is renewed hope that the industry will finally implement a uniform OTT window policy.
The Telugu film industry now watches closely to see if these discussions translate into action.