VOOT boosts regional content with Colors Telugu DetailsRebecca Hawkes | 19 September 2019 Viacom18’s video streaming platform VOOT is adding general entertainment channel Colors Telugu to its service on 23 September, continuing what the Indian media group calls its ‘digital first’ approach.The Telugu language channel offers more than 1200 hours of content for audiences in the states of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana. Content on the advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) platform also includes VOOT Originals , popular Hindi and regional Viacom18 shows and films, and a library of over 150 Telugu movies.“Regional has been an important play for VOOT as well as Viacom18 and we continue to identify whitespaces in the category and pursue the regional growth opportunity. We have been seeing significant offtake of network regional consumption on VOOT. The latest success of Bigg Boss Marathi with over 100 million views establishes the scale of the regional content opportunity,” said Gourav Rakshit, COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures.“The market propensity of the Telugu market towards digital content as well the significant internet penetration in the two states of AP / Telangana make them a high value opportunity to be harnessed. We are sure that the diverse and expansive content slate curated after substantial audience mapping and market research will help us get love and support from the viewers,” added Rakshit.Akash Banerji, head of AVOD business, Viacom18 Digital Ventures, said: “Regional continues to be a key revenue driver for VOOT and with the new Colors Telugu on VOOT slate we will have added further depth to our very dynamic regional content proposition. Regional has also become the new national and plays a decisive role in the outreach strategy of many brands”.At launch, Colors Telugu on VOOT promises ‘blockbuster’ Telugu movies, network syndicated shows and the Telugu version of the popular VOOT Original Feet Up with the Stars.