The Hello Meghalaya OTT platform, which was launched with an aim to give global space for talented young local musicians, filmmakers, and content creators of Meghalaya is giving them the much needed space.
According to Podcaster Ferdinand Rani, their contents in other platforms tend to get lost especially when they could only appeal to a specific community or state.
“This platform on the other hand will help us have our own space where people can just go and find us and all the things related to the state from food, travel, lifestyle and cultures,” Rani said.
Rani who runs the podcast “Ha Shillong” and who recently won the best podcaster award, during the launch of the OTT platform said that one cannot compare social media platforms to such a localised OTT platform, yet the very fact that Hello Meghalaya is focusing on local content, gives them a lot of scope in exploring various field of entertainment and information sharing content not only to their own people but to others who are new to the state and people.
Gilsylvester Langstieh, who won the most viral influencer award, said that Hello Meghalaya is a great platform for people like him.
Langstieh said that it provides a much-needed space to showcase his talents and connect with a wider audience who appreciate the cultural heritage and unique artistry.
He also said that Hello Meghalaya offers a distinct advantage by focusing on local talent and culture. “It’s a dedicated space where artists like us can grow more prominently, getting the attention we deserve within our community and beyond. The platform is tailored to promote and support regional artists, making it a valuable opportunity for exposure and growth,” Langstieh said.
According to Rani, he has witnessed artists and entrepreneurs fighting to find a space in the community, always struggling and striving for attention to be heard and discovered so that their skills can be appreciated and get them a livelihood of some sort.
He said unfortunately, many fail even with the presence of social media because it runs with algorithms and if one can’t catch up or understand, nobody would notice and no one would care.
Rani said that a platform like this will help to boost the morale of artists and entrepreneurs and give them hope that they can be discovered in a very particular way which the OTT is offering.
On the other hand Langstieh said that state-owned OTT platforms like Hello Meghalaya serve as a crucial gateway for upcoming artists, entrepreneurs, and other creative professionals.
He said that they provide a supportive environment that fosters growth, offers exposure to a targeted audience, and encourages the development of local talent and businesses. This kind of platform can significantly boost the careers of many by providing the right resources and visibility, he added.
Meanwhile, Rani said that his show began in 2022 with him and producer Baiarjingmut Ramde. “We wanted to start a candid conversation set up that can help people understand more about a particular topic or person,” he said.
Being a media person himself, he realised that they have very limited screen time when it comes to interviews and it is very formal. Rani said that through his show he wanted to create a very informal set up because they understand that people want to hear something beyond the questionnaires and the interview.
According to him, sometimes as professionals the message to the public gets lost in fancy and technical terms because of the nature of the profession. “That’s why in our podcast we try to communicate that information in a language that the masses understand and reflect,” Rani said.
Langstieh said that the response to his production has been good, and he believed it’s just the beginning. “Personally, I feel optimistic and encouraged by the positive feedback. It’s gratifying to see people appreciate our efforts, and it motivates us to continue improving and expanding our reach,” he said.
