Think back just two decades. Watching a film meant going to a cinema hall or waiting for a TV premiere. TV serials ruled our evenings. Cable providers decided what you could watch, and when. There was no “on demand” culture. And then came a quiet revolution—the arrival of OTT platforms.
OTT, short for “Over-The-Top,” bypassed traditional cable or satellite. All you needed was the internet. With one click, films, shows, and later web series could stream straight to your device. It sounded futuristic back then, but today it’s an everyday habit.
So where did it all begin? And what was the very first web series to capture viewers’ attention? Let’s go back to the origins.
The First Steps of OTT
OTT’s story begins in the mid-1990s. In 1995, a company called Progressive Networks—later known as RealNetworks—launched the first streaming media player called RealPlayer. It allowed users to stream audio and, eventually, video over the internet.
But true OTT as we know it today didn’t exist until faster internet speeds became available in the early 2000s. In 2005, YouTube entered the scene, making user-generated video streaming mainstream. Suddenly, millions could upload and watch content without TV networks.
The real shift, however, came when subscription-based OTT platforms launched. Netflix, which started in 1997 as a DVD rental service in the US, made the bold move to online streaming in 2007. That moment is widely seen as the official birth of OTT platforms in their modern form.
OTT in India – A Later Start
India embraced OTT a little later. In 2008, BIGFlix by Reliance Entertainment became the country’s first official OTT platform. Others followed—like Sony LIV in 2013, Hotstar in 2015 (now Disney+ Hotstar), and Amazon Prime Video and Netflix expanding into India soon after.
With cheap internet and affordable smartphones post-2016 (thanks largely to the Jio effect), OTT exploded. Today, India is one of the biggest markets for streaming in the world.
The First Web Series Ever
Now, let’s talk about web series. The very first recognised web series is believed to be “The Spot”, launched in 1995 in the United States. It was a soap-opera-style show hosted on a website, blending video clips, photos, and character blogs. While primitive by today’s standards, it introduced the idea of episodic online storytelling.
Soon after, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, shows like “WhirlGirl” (1997) and “Red vs. Blue” (2003) gained cult status among online viewers. These proved that storytelling on the web could build a fanbase outside television.
The First Indian Web Series
In India, the real web series wave began in the early 2010s. One of the first Indian web series to gain mass recognition was “Permanent Roommates”, launched by The Viral Fever (TVF) in 2014 on YouTube. It told the story of a young couple navigating modern relationships and instantly struck a chord with millennials.
This was followed by TVF’s “Pitchers” in 2015, about four friends chasing their startup dream. These shows proved that web series could be relatable, youth-driven, and hugely popular without television backing.
Today, Indian platforms host hundreds of web series across genres—crime thrillers, romance, comedy, documentaries—and even regional language originals.
Why OTT and Web Series Changed the Game
The rise of OTT and web series was more than a technological shift. It changed how we consume stories. Here’s why:
- Freedom to Choose – No more waiting for prime time slots. You could binge entire seasons at once.
- Variety of Content – OTT platforms didn’t need to follow TV’s family-friendly rules. They explored bold, diverse, and niche stories.
- Global Reach – A web series made in India could be watched instantly in New York or London.
- Opportunities for Creators – Independent filmmakers and writers who struggled in Bollywood or TV found a new stage.
- Audience Power – Viewer demand started driving what got produced, not just ratings or advertisers.
OTT Today – A Mainstream Force
Fast forward to 2025, OTT isn’t “alternative” anymore. It’s mainstream. Platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Sony LIV, Zee5, and JioCinema dominate Indian screens. Globally, giants like Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, and HBO Max continue to compete.
OTT platforms are not only streaming; they’re producing mega-budget originals, signing top stars, and winning awards once reserved for Hollywood films. Web series like Sacred Games in India or Stranger Things globally have become cultural phenomena.
Looking Ahead
The OTT story is still unfolding. With AI recommendations, interactive content, regional storytelling, and live sports streaming, the landscape is evolving faster than ever. Some even predict that OTT could eventually replace cable TV entirely.
But let’s not forget where it all began—simple experiments in the mid-1990s, and a modest little web series called The Spot. From there to today’s cinematic universes streaming into our living rooms, OTT has redefined entertainment.
From Experiment to Everyday Life
So, when did OTT start? In the mid-1990s with early streaming, but it truly took off with Netflix’s streaming launch in 2007. And the first web series? That honour goes to The Spot in 1995, while in India, Permanent Roommates (2014) set the stage.
What began as an experiment is now the heartbeat of modern entertainment. OTT gave us freedom, variety, and storytelling beyond borders. And web series made us realise—sometimes the best shows don’t need a TV at all.
