Written by Mohit Singhania | Updated: July 1, 2025 | TechMasala.in
If you’ve ever felt left out as a prepaid user when it comes to OTT benefits, you’re not alone. Postpaid plans have always been the ones flaunting all the goodies. From bundled Netflix and Hotstar to Amazon Prime tossed in like a free gift, prepaid users were expected to pay extra, manage separate subscriptions, and hop across apps every time they wanted to watch something.
But Airtel has finally done something worth clapping for. Its new Airtel OTT prepaid packs, starting at ₹279, are a straight-up power move. You recharge once, and you unlock Netflix, JioCinema, Zee5, SonyLiv, and more than 20 other OTT platforms. And for once, prepaid users are not being treated like the poor cousin anymore.
Airtel OTT Prepaid Packs Aim to Fix the Streaming Mess
This launch is not just about adding Netflix to a recharge plan. It’s about fixing the entire chaos around streaming subscriptions in India. Airtel now offers what it calls All-in-One OTT prepaid bundles, which means no more juggling five apps and ten passwords.
The ₹279 plan gives you one-month validity and streaming access worth ₹750, according to Airtel’s own valuation. And yes, this is available for all prepaid users. You don’t need to switch to postpaid or buy extra top-ups. It’s clean, direct, and simple.
You can activate any of these plans directly from the Airtel Xstream Play app, the Airtel website, or your nearest retailer. Everything is unified into one place, which makes a massive difference.
Which Airtel OTT Prepaid Pack Should You Pick?
If you’re wondering which one to recharge with, here’s a quick and easy breakdown.
| Pack Type | OTT Benefit | Validity | MRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct via Airtel Xstream Play App | Netflix Basic, Zee5, JioHotstar, Airtel Xstream Play Premium | 1 Month | ₹279 |
| Prepaid Content-Only Pack (incl. 1GB data) | Netflix Basic, Zee5, JioHotstar, Airtel Xstream Play Premium | 1 Month | ₹279 |
| Prepaid Data Bundle (Unlimited 5G + Calls) | Netflix Basic, Zee5, JioHotstar, Airtel Xstream Play Premium | 28 Days | ₹598 |
| Prepaid Long-Term Bundle (Unlimited 5G + Calls) | Netflix Basic, Zee5, JioHotstar, Airtel Xstream Play Premium | 84 Days | ₹1,729 |
Whether you’re someone who just wants to binge-watch or someone looking for an all-in-one plan with full data and calling, Airtel has covered every type of prepaid user.
More Than Just Netflix and JioCinema
This is not a case of Airtel offering two or three OTT names and calling it a bundle. The list is huge and genuinely impressive.
Apart from Netflix, JioCinema, and Zee5, the Airtel OTT prepaid packs give you access to SonyLiv, Lionsgate Play, Sun NXT, Hoichoi, AHA, ShemarooMe, ErosNow, and many more. In total, it’s more than 25 platforms.
And this is not just a quantity play. The content spans across 16 Indian languages, along with international shows and movies. Whether you love Bengali thrillers, Telugu comedy, Tamil drama, or Korean crime stories, you will find something to watch. All of it lives inside the Airtel Xstream Play app, which simplifies how you browse and stream.
Airtel’s Timing Is Smart, and TRAI Numbers Back It Up
There’s a reason why Airtel timed this launch in May, just when IPL fever was peaking. Cricket fans were either buying Hotstar subscriptions or hunting for free streams. But now, with JioCinema included in the Airtel OTT prepaid packs, cricket access is part of the deal.
And users seem to be responding. According to TRAI’s latest numbers, Airtel added 1.65 million new subscribers in March 2025, more than any other provider. That brings their total to almost 387 million users and a 33.61 percent market share.
In comparison, Jio is still the market leader with 465 million users but only managed to add 686,000 new subscribers during the same period. Clearly, Airtel’s aggressive content push is creating real momentum.
Jio Started It, But Airtel Might Finish It
Let’s be honest. JioCinema gave Jio a big head start in digital content. For a while, it looked unbeatable. But what Airtel has done here is different. It’s not just about free cricket or a couple of shows. This is about creating an entire prepaid ecosystem around OTT.
They’ve even teamed up with Google for cloud storage add-ons and are now offering serious postpaid-style benefits to prepaid users. It’s smart, it’s simple, and it’s aggressive.
If Jio does not counter this soon, Airtel might just pull off something the market has not seen in a long time — a prepaid-led disruption.
Prepaid Recharges Finally Got Smarter
For once, prepaid users are not being told to “upgrade to postpaid for premium benefits.” With the Airtel OTT prepaid packs, the game has flipped. Now, for just ₹279, you can stream, explore, and binge without worrying about managing five different subscriptions.
It’s the kind of change prepaid users deserved. And with Airtel clearly in no mood to slow down, Jio will need more than just free IPL access to stay ahead.
These packs are already live and can be activated through the Airtel Xstream Play app or Airtel’s official website. If you’ve been looking for a smarter recharge, this might be it.
FAQ’s about Airtel OTT Plan:
What is the plan of OTT in Airtel?
Airtel offers All-in-One OTT prepaid plans starting at ₹279. These include access to 25+ streaming platforms like Netflix, JioCinema, Zee5, and SonyLiv. Higher-tier plans also offer unlimited 5G data and calling for up to 84 days.
Is Netflix free with Airtel prepaid?
Yes, Airtel now includes Netflix Basic as part of its ₹279, ₹598, and ₹1,729 prepaid plans for eligible users.
How do I activate the Airtel OTT bundle?
Recharge using the Airtel Xstream Play app, the official website, or at any Airtel retail store.
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