India’s Mahabharat Returns via Television-OTT Hybrid Model, Signaling New Era of Convergence

New Delhi / Pan-India, October 2025 — India’s television and OTT ecosystems are inching closer together, as shown by the launch strategy for the new Mahabharat series, which marries digital streaming and broadcast television in a first-of-its-kind rollout. 

The Mahabharat reboot, built on advanced AI visual effects and ambitious scale, will make its exclusive digital premiere on WAVES OTT on 25 October 2025, followed by its telecast on Doordarshan every Sunday at 11:00 AM, starting 2 November. The parallel rollout ensures widespread reach: viewers across India with traditional TVs and those on digital platforms both can access it.

Broadcast + OTT: A Deliberate Strategy

This model blends the public broadcaster’s reach with OTT’s on-demand flexibility. Doordarshan’s presence in rural and remote areas remains unmatched; WAVES OTT opens up younger, urban, and international audiences. By staging a digital-first launch, Mahabharat taps into early buzz and online communities, then sustains viewership via linear TV.

The show’s production was spearheaded by Collective Media Network, which described the series as a “groundbreaking AI-led reimagination of India’s most celebrated epic.” The creative team aims to combine cinematic spectacle with cultural heritage, simultaneously modernizing and preserving the original grandeur. 

Broader Convergence Trends & Industry Response

Media analysts see this hybrid model as a blueprint for future content — not just for mythological epics, but for high-profile shows seeking mass reach. With OTT platforms turning into default viewership for younger demographics, yet terrestrial television still holding sway in mass markets, convergence is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Several television networks are now exploring deals to embed OTT apps, micro-broadcast windows, or tie-ups with streaming platforms. The Mahabharat model offers proof that simultaneous or staggered dual-platform premieres can maximize both engagement and reach.

Still, challenges remain. Monetization across platforms must be carefully balanced — ad revenue, digital subscriptions, and licensing rights all need alignment. Also, production teams must ensure content works well across very different viewing modes — 30-second TV ad breaks versus binge-watching on OTT.

Takeaway

The return of Mahabharat through a calculated TV-OTT convergence is a signal: India’s legacy television is adapting to digital disruptions rather than being replaced. The strategy respects the strengths of both formats, leverages cultural scale, and points toward a future where major content launches live across platforms, not one or the other.

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SRESTHA ROY - AUTHOR

Srestha is a film writer who explores cinema through sharp reviews, insightful news, and in-depth features. From the magic of the big screen to behind-the- scenes stories, she brings readers closer to the art and industry of film.