Arré is an Indian OTT platform based in Mumbai. It produces and publishes videos, audio series, web series, documentaries, text and doodles through its online channel. Founded by former Network 18 and TV 18 executives B. Sai Kumar, Ajay Chacko, and Sanjay Ray Chaudhari, it is a content-based startup and was launched in April 2016.
History
Former Network TV18 CEO – B. Sai Kumar, COO – Ajay Chacko, and director Sanjay Ray Chaudhuri formed this online channel brand "Arre" in October 2015. "Arre" is an Indian colloquialism that roughly translates to "whoa" in English. In April 2016, Enam group invested an undisclosed amount in Arre, and along with the founders.
Development
The technology, architecture, design and developed by . The online platform is designed by French agency Area 17.
Products
Early in 2015, Arre announced Ho Ja Re-Gender based on the Israeli experimental format of Re-Gender originally produced by Armoza Formats. In the series, six participants are given a chance to experience life as a member of the opposite sex. In August 2015, the company tied up with newspaper The Indian Express to produce investigative documentaries for a world audience. A documentary titled Death by Breath was released on 2 May 2016 which discussed the high levels of air pollution in the Indian state of New Delhi. in January 2016, the company launched its first web sitcom titled I Don't Watch TV. Produced by Timbuktu Films, it is a satire on the Indian TV industry and stars television personalities like Nakuul Mehta and Bollywood film critic Rajeev Masand. In April 2016, it launched A.I.SHA – My Virtual Girlfriend, a web cam fiction show produced by reality show producer and actor Raghu Ram. Season 2 of the show premiered in March 2017. In May 2016, it launched a podcast titled based on the 2008 Noida double murder case, in partnership with online music streaming serviceSaavn. In September 2016, Arre launched Official Chukyagiri that tells the story of Spandan Chukya, an MNC intern and the corporate world, seen through his eyes. Produced by Amritpal Singh Bindra, Anand Tiwari and their company Still & Still Moving Pictures. In February 2017, Arre tied up with Facebook to premiere its comic seriesThe Adventures of Abbaas Mastan, a fictionalised world of two film students on one global mission – to make the world's most viral video In June 2017, Arre launched a new adventure travel showThe Real High featuring Rannvijay Singha, along with a group of six young kids of urban upbringing, that explores various parts of the north-eastern state, Arunachal Pradesh. In April 2018, Arré Launched a web series Official CEOgiri which was a continuity of Official Chukyagiri. Actor Sumeet Vyas played the lead character.
Web series
Ho Ja Re-gender
I Don't Watch TV
A.I.SHA My Virtual Girlfriend
Official Chukyagiri
The Adventures of Abbaas Mastan
A.I.SHA My Virtual Girlfriend Season 2
The Real High
Official CEOgiri
Audio series
Aarushi Files
Documentaries
Death by Breath
Kashmir’s Lost Children
Partnerships
In April 2016, Arre partnered with music streaming service Saavn to produce and distribute a podcast titled based on the 2008 Noida double murder case. In July 2016, Arre joined hands with internet-based TV streaming and OTT service provider, YuppTV, to distribute content on its YuppTV Bazaar platform. Speaking about the partnership, Arre co-founder and managing director, B Saikumar, said "Arre is excited to reach out to an Indian and worldwide audience through YuppTV Bazaar's OTT platform. We look forward to a long-term association with YuppTV and hope to partner on many more content offerings on YuppTV Bazaar." In September 2016, Arre tied up with Mumbai-based Goquest Media to distribute and monetise Arre's content digitally across the world. In September 2016 Arre also announced a distribution partnership with SonyLiv. The partnership will enable SonyLiv users to watch Arre's latest web series on its web and mobile platforms. Arre's entire video content library will be available as a part of SonyLiv's extensive catalogue in due course. In November 2016 this was followed by an announcement that both companies will co-produce a digital series starring actor Rithvik Dhanjani, who will also be co-producing the show. Release is planned for early 2017. As of October 2016, Arre has also tied up with France's largest television network, TF1 Xtra and Vodafone Play. In February 2017, Arre partnered with Ola Play whereby digital content from Arré will be available to stream through Ola's connected car platform