India's first govt-owned OTT platform CSpace to be launched by Kerala gov on Mar 7

Kerala is all set to launch its own digital entertainment platform, CSpace, India's first government-backed OTT platform.
The platform is going to launch on March 7 and aims to offer infotainment curated for people.

According to an official statement released on Tuesday, CSpace is here to tackle the imbalances between content selection and propagation.

At a press conference, Shaji N Karun, noted film director and Chairman, Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), said, "CSpace is essentially a response to the growing imbalances and multifarious challenges in the OTT sector in terms of content selection and propagation.”

CSpace, which is managed by KSFDC, has constituted a special 60-member panel that includes renowned cultural personalities from Kerala.

KSFDC is a state-owned company entrusted with the promotion of Malayalam cinema and industry, on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala.

Every content to be shown on the platform will be evaluated on three parameters of artistic, cultural and infotainment by three curators from the panel.

So far, 42 films have been selected for the first phase of CSpace, which includes 35 feature films, six documentaries, and one short film.

The platform will operate on pay per view basis allowing viewers to watch a film for Rs 75. Meanwhile, shorter contents are priced lesser.

The OTT also claims to have transparent operation in the overall earnings and revenue share with half of the amount paid by per viewer going to the provider.

Films that have won national or state awards or have been exhibited in major film festivals will also be shown.
CSpace app will be available on Google PlayStore from March 7 onwards, a KSFDC statement said.

The platform will also showcase content related to Kerala culture and arts. There are also plans to encourage film clubs across the state including colleges.