In a significant move to safeguard the theatrical business, senior producer Suresh Babu and a specially formed committee held a crucial meeting at the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. The discussion centered around changing the digital streaming window for new Telugu movies, aiming to give theatrical runs more time to maximize collections.
The producers' committee proposed a new policy, suggesting a mandatory 6 to 8-week gap between a film's theatrical release and its OTT premiere. This move aims to address the growing concern of early digital releases, which have been discouraging audiences from visiting theaters. Many films currently arrive on OTT platforms within 4 weeks, hurting box office collections and threatening single-screen theaters in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The early streaming window has become a pressing issue for Suresh Babu and fellow producers. When audiences know a film will stream soon, they often skip the theatrical experience, impacting box office collections. Implementing an 8-week OTT window could help replicate the success of recent blockbusters like Kalki 2898 AD and Pushpa 2: The Rule, which adhered to longer theatrical windows.
However, this proposal poses challenges for small and medium-budget films, which often rely on early OTT deals for financial viability. If implemented, OTT platforms may reduce acquisition prices, affecting smaller projects. The industry now watches closely to see if discussions translate into action, with major producers backing Suresh Babu's initiative. The Telugu film industry hopes that this uniform OTT window policy will ensure the theatrical experience remains the primary source of revenue, bringing audiences back to cinemas and boosting box office collections.