The Telugu film industry is reportedly debating whether to enforce a mandatory 8-week theatrical window before films can release on OTT platforms (like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, Aha, etc.). In Bollywood, multiplex chains often require this 8-week exclusivity for theaters, or they won't screen the film.
In this scenario, a view has taken root that only a few blockbuster-level films can actually sustain an 8-week run. Other films don't have the audience pull and a delayed OTT release will further diminish their potential.
OTT platforms pay high prices mainly for important films. For small and mid-range movies, OTT deals are already much lower. In addition, platforms impose various conditions. Forcing an 8-week delay could lead OTT platforms to further cut rates or impose tougher terms for smaller films, making it financially unviable for those producers.
A tiered system (4 weeks for small films, 8 weeks for star vehicles) could be an option. However, this is deemed as impractical. This tiered system hasn't been in existence in Bollywood and Mollywood. There, small producers haven't had a problem and have been on the same page as the producers of big-scale movies.
As of now, the proposal has been put across by the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. The Producers Council and the Active Producers Guild will have to be on the same page for the proposal to take the form of a policy.
