Manoj Punjabi Believes That OTT Will Never Replace Cinemas

Manoj Punjabi (Photo: IG @manojpunjabimd)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 pandemic has made the shift of films from cinemas to OTT (Over The Top) even more real. Even so, the CEO of MD Pictures, Manoj Punjabi, believes that the existence of OTT is not a threat to cinemas. Manoj believes that OTT is the solution for film distribution in this pandemic.

"This pandemic is an anomalous situation. Usually, films will be shown first in new cinemas to OTT. However, currently some films have finally aired on OTT because cinemas have not opened optimally," said Manoj while talking with the Media at the Webinar Can the Indonesian Film Industry Rely on a Digital Platform. OTT? virtually, Monday, April 5.

Manoj Punjabi believes OTT will never replace cinema. "This is a different platform. These two business models are also very different. If OTT wants to buy films, not all of them can enter, but it was not an OTT business plan in the beginning," said Manoj.

However, in a pandemic situation, OTT provides opportunities for filmmakers to be more advanced and remain creative with the existence of OTT. "OTT is an opportunity that must be taken, we must be willing to change. If we don't make good Indonesian films and series, we will continue to see foreign ones," he said.

One of the things that cannot be replaced by OTT is the transparency of audience data. "The OTT does not want to share how many audiences. Because they are very competitive with their respective viewers. I can only estimate when a film or series is broadcast on OTT," he explained.

One of the benchmarks for the success of impressions on OTT is popular data which is updated every day. "If on the chart there is a popular indication that every day new data is entered. On each platform we can see it. Previously on WeTV, foreign shows were always popular, now Indonesian production has entered popularity. This is a good sign," he said.

Deddy Mizwar, Chairman of the Creative Supervisory Board and Chairman of PPFI, agrees that OTT is not a threat to cinemas. "In the early 90s, active television in cinemas were worried. But it didn't matter. Then now OTT is here. As long as the quality films don't make the audience disappointed, they will definitely return to the cinema," he said.