Prasar Bharati Wins Two ABU Awards 2026, Showcases WAVES OTT Platform

Prasar Bharati has won two honours at ABU Prizes 2026 in Colombo, while showcasing WAVES OTT's growing international reach and India's expanding public-service digital broadcasting ecosystem.

Prasar Bharati Wins Two ABU Awards 2026, Showcases WAVES OTT's Global Reach

India's public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has received two prestigious recognitions at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Prizes 2026, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The awards recognise its contributions to public-service broadcasting and broadcast engineering.

Alongside the achievements, Prasar Bharati also highlighted its digital expansion through WAVES OTT, its streaming platform offering television, radio, films, documentaries, educational programmes and cultural content.

Prasar Bharati Receives Two Honours at ABU Prizes 2026

The two recognitions highlight Prasar Bharati's efforts in strengthening public broadcasting and promoting technological excellence in the media sector.

The awards were presented during the ABU events in Colombo, which brought together broadcasters and media professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Akashvani Bengaluru Wins Special Commendation for 'Beyond the Call'

Prasar Bharati's Akashvani Bengaluru received the Audio Public Service Announcement Special Commendation for its programme titled 'Beyond the Call'.

The recognition acknowledges the importance of public-service communication in reaching communities, raising awareness and addressing issues that affect society.

The award was received by Jyoti Das, representing Akashvani Bengaluru.

The achievement highlights the contribution of public radio in delivering meaningful information and connecting with audiences through socially relevant programming.

Prasar Bharati Official Receives Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award

In another achievement, the ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award 2026 was formally presented to Nongmaithem Nandakumar Singh of Prasar Bharati.

The honour recognises his contribution to broadcast engineering, technical innovation and excellence in broadcasting infrastructure. Mihir Kumar Jha, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, received the award on his behalf.

The recognition reflects the importance of technological development and engineering expertise in strengthening broadcasting services.

Prasar Bharati Showcases WAVES OTT at ABU General Assembly

Apart from receiving the awards, Prasar Bharati presented its digital streaming platform, WAVES OTT, during the international gathering.

Rajeev Roy, Member (Finance) of Prasar Bharati, showcased the platform and highlighted its expanding presence in the digital entertainment and broadcasting ecosystem.

Launched in November 2024, WAVES OTT brings together multiple forms of content on a single platform.

Its offerings include:

• Television and radio programmes

• Films and documentaries

• Educational content

• Cultural programmes

• Archival material

• Other digital media content

The platform aims to make India's public-service broadcasting content accessible to audiences through digital channels.

WAVES OTT Crosses 15 Million Registered Users

WAVES OTT has recorded significant growth since its launch in November 2024. According to the information shared by Prasar Bharati, the platform has crossed 15 million registered users and recorded more than 19 million downloads.

Its availability and reach across over 130 countries demonstrate the growing international presence of India's public-service digital media ecosystem.

The platform's expanding user base also reflects the increasing role of digital streaming in making television, radio, educational and cultural content accessible to wider audiences.

What Is the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union?

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is among the world's largest broadcasting organisations. It works to promote cooperation, knowledge-sharing and professional excellence among broadcasters across the Asia-Pacific region.

The organisation provides a platform for media institutions to exchange ideas, discuss industry developments and strengthen international broadcasting partnerships.

ABU General Assembly 2026 Held in Colombo

The 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings are being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from October 30 to November 3, 2026.

The event is organised under the theme 'Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation.'

It brings together broadcasters, media executives and industry leaders from different countries to discuss the evolving role of media in society.

Key discussions focus on the importance of credible information, public trust, technological transformation and cooperation among broadcasting organisations.

Conclusion

Prasar Bharati's two recognitions at the ABU Prizes 2026 highlight India's achievements in public-service broadcasting and broadcast engineering. Meanwhile, WAVES OTT's growing user base and international reach reflect the broadcaster's efforts to strengthen its digital presence and take Indian educational, cultural and entertainment content to global audiences.