Mumbai: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific will consider launching its over-the-top (OTT) platform in India once 4G services are rolled out pan-India, according to a senior company official.

"We have introduced our OTT offering in some European countries. I am sure as the bandwidth constraints get eliminated and once 4G is really in place in the country, that is the time we will start evaluating the Discovery offering in India," Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP and GM-South Asia Rahul Johri told PTI. OTT is the delivery of film and TV content through the Internet, without requiring users to subscribe to a traditional cable or satellite. 4G services increase the capability to offer high-quality content.

Discovery has two direct-to-customer OTT products offering in Europe -- Dplay and Eurosport Player.

KPMG Partner and Head Media and Entertainment Jehil Thakkar said, "There are several OTT offerings being launched ? both independent as well as by media companies. We will see more of these as the telecom infrastructure and bandwidth in the country improve."

India is expected to have 9 crore 4G subscribers and 18 crore 4G smartphones by 2018, according to a report from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Discovery, which is airing a four-part series on Mumbai CST titled Mumbai Railway, is also increasing India-specific shows to cash in on its growing viewership.

"We are building a good pipeline and have been constantly giving Indian viewers a whole host of shows that are being produced in India. So, we hope to continue doing the same," Johri said. MORE PTI DS GK ARD

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