Cinema after COVID-19

Context: Online platforms provide an alternative to big- screen halls. But their reach is limited.

Impact of COVID:

• On Employment in Cinema: Future of cinema remains bleak in light of lockdown. Art houses have been closed due to prohibited gatherings.
• On Film viewing behaviour: Many people would rather prefer viewing at home due to social distancing norms.
• Benefiting Over the Top (OTT): Large surge in OTT platforms has emerged which provide a plethora of entertainment options at home.

Advantages of OTT:

• Mix of both worlds: OTT provides a good mix of both mainstream and art-house cinema creating a larger audience for itself.
• Bypassing censors: It provides the freedom to filmmakers and thus brings out the best content.

Danger Persists:

• Grave concerns remain: the rise of OTT platforms would create inequalities as it excludes large non-urban demography that cannot afford Internet & subscription fees.