Disrupting the News Genre, the OTT Way With News9 Plus

News9 Plus is a unique news OTT platform designed to provide viewers with nuanced news content produced using cutting-edge audio-visual storytelling formats. The launch of News9 Plus is part of TV9 Network’s strategic goal to break through the clutter of the crowded English news television landscape.

Born out of strategic intent to empower the viewer with the power of choice, News9 Plus aims to truly disrupt the video news genre.  Barun Das, MD and CEO of TV9 Network, said, “I believe in the power of choice that OTT platforms provide. I can watch what I want when I want. News9 Plus is the answer to the transition that news has to make. It converts news into content, making the transition from news to content.”

“Everything is exclusive but not as breaking news. The news breaking would continue to happen on social media. So, everything is content which is our own treatment, perspective and analysis. By doing that, we hope to overcome the challenges faced so far in the TV news genre,” added Barun Das.

News9 Plus is disrupting the news genre by delivering gravitas-led news content at the touch of a button. With a growing trend of cord-cutting and a shift towards on-demand content, News9 Plus aims to cater to the discerning tastes of the modern generation, offering a diverse range of content that is both informative and thought-provoking.

News9 Plus is designed for the modern viewer, with a format that is tailored to the OTT experience. The content is dynamic, engaging, and optimized for mobile and connected television devices. News9 Plus taps into the Netflix generation and is available on Amazon Fire Stick and Android TV.

A preview of the app shows that News9 Plus offers a wide range of news content that caters to all your needs, from breaking news and current events to in-depth features and investigative journalism.

News9 Plus distinguishes itself from traditional news outlets by providing rich, multi-faceted narratives that go beyond the surface of stories and offer a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand, covering topics across various industry verticals and genres.

News9 Plus, which announced the formal launch through a series of top print ads, says it is committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. The formal announcement declared that the News9 Plus launch had heralded a news revolution. 

An earlier communication on content USP of the platform cited its unique coverage of national and international developments. It said that despite facing opposition and attempts at a ban from Islamabad, the platform launched the docuseries ‘Balochistan: Bangladesh 2.0’, which delves deep into the fate of Balochistan tied to Pakistan's politics and friendship with China.

The app is designed in a manner that it features on the homepage the widest content bouquet. It covers an array of topics, including stories in technology, defence, geo-politics, terrorism, travel and tourism, entrepreneurship, business, sports, entertainment, history, politics, world affairs, economy, environment, climate change, artificial intelligence, education, development, and more.

A distinctive feature of News9 Plus content is its most cerebral content offered as part of 'Duologue with Barun Das', which has gained popularity in the Indian media industry. Notable guests on the show include N R Narayana Murthy, Sudha Murty, Sadhguru, and Mithali Raj. 'Duologue with Barun Das' offers an up-close and personal insight into the minds of influential people in India and beyond.

The award-winning docuseries highlighted on the app featuring unique perspectives and in-depth storytelling include ‘Delhi's Garbage Mountain’ that delves into the man-made disaster caused by the city's excessive waste. ‘Demons In The Head’ sheds light on the taboo topic of mental health in India, while ‘Bombs In The Backyard’ uncovers the alarming presence of military-grade explosives in the heart of India's cities. ‘The Monk-ster’ uncovers a mega-trading scam and the downfall of a once-celebrated businesswoman, while ‘White Froth Black Truth’ explores the dire state of the once-pristine Yamuna River. 

With such exclusive and impactful content, News9 Plus strives to keep viewers ahead of the curve, going beyond the obvious, exploring the underlying causes and implications of events, and providing a deeper understanding of the world around us.