Telugu Producers Reject 8-Week OTT Window, Eye Flexible Ticket Pricing

Tollywood's leading producers have firmly opposed the eight-week OTT release window, a practice prevalent in North India, during a key industry meeting. With recent films struggling to draw crowds after the initial release weekend, producers are keen to fast-track their movies to digital platforms, hoping to recoup investments more swiftly.

Financial pressures are mounting across the Telugu film industry, as declining box office revenue—especially beyond opening week—forces many production houses to rely heavily on digital rights. As a result, the recent meeting saw unanimous resistance to the idea of delaying OTT premieres for eight weeks. The unresolved situation surrounding theatrical releases in Nizam has only added to the uncertainty.

In a parallel move, the Active Producers Guild is preparing to convene on May 12 to explore a radical new ticket pricing model. As per reports, they plan to approach the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments for a flexible order allowing filmmakers to set their own ticket prices, possibly ranging from ₹100 to ₹1000, sidestepping the need for separate permissions for each film.

Industry insiders are watching closely to see how these proposed changes will impact both theatre owners and audiences, with official decisions expected after the upcoming Guild meeting.