CSpace: First ever govt-owned OTT platform set for launch in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly two years after its announcement, the state government in Kerala is all set to launch its own over-the-top (OTT) platform. The platform ‘CSpace’ will operate under the Film Development Corporation and will be available from January onwards. In the process, ‘CSPace’ became the first-ever government-owned OTT platform in the country.

Department of Cultural Affairs decided to launch its own platform after witnessing the sudden boom of OTTs during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was earlier announced that ‘CSpace’ will begin its operations on November 1, on the occasion of ‘Kerala Piravi’. However, the government conducted its trial run on Tuesday after overcoming the technical issues. 

Meanwhile, it is learned that a panel of artists will opt for the films to stream on ‘CSpace’. Individuals from the film fraternity will also be part of the panel to evaluate films. Films selected by jury members of various film festivals and those that have won several recognitions will be available for selection.   

The films will be scrutinised based on their quality. No special consideration will be given to those movies screened at theatres owned by Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC). To help independent filmmakers, ‘CSpace’ will also stream those movies that did not have a theatrical release. 

And unlike other platforms, ‘CSpace’ would not ‘purchase' films from its makers. Instead, a share of the income will go to the producers of the movies streaming on the platform. In the case of most of the other OTT platforms, the extra income that the movies generate on the platforms is never really shared with the producers.