Arre (/ɑːreɪ/) (stylized asArré) is an IndianOTT platform based inMumbai.[3] It produces and publishes videos, audio series, web series, documentaries, text and doodles through its online channel.[4] Founded by formerNetwork 18 andTV 18 executives B. Sai Kumar, Ajay Chacko, and Sanjay Ray Chaudhari, it is a content-based startup and was launched in April 2016.[5][1]
FormerNetwork TV18 CEO B. Sai Kumar, COO Ajay Chacko, and director Sanjay Ray Chaudhuri (Ray C) formed Arre in October 2015.[1][6] "Arre" is an Indian colloquialism that roughly translates to "whoa" in English.[3][4]
In April 2016, Enam group invested an undisclosed amount in Arre, as did the founders.[7][8]
Early in 2015, Arre announcedHo Ja Re-Gender, based on the Israeli experimental format ofRe-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.[4][9][10]
In August 2015, the company tied up with newspaperThe Indian Express to produce investigative documentaries for a world audience. A documentary titledDeath by Breath was released on 2 May 2016 which discussed the high levels ofair pollution in the Indian state ofNew Delhi.[11]
in January 2016, the company launched its first web sitcom, titledI Don't Watch TV. Produced by Timbuktu Films, it is a satire on the Indian TV industry and stars television personalities likeNakuul Mehta and Bollywood film criticRajeev Masand.[12][13]
In April 2016, it launchedA.I.SHA – My Virtual Girlfriend, a webcam fiction show produced by reality show producer and actorRaghu Ram.[14][15][16] Season 2 of the show premiered in March 2017.[17]
In September 2016, Arre launchedOfficial Chukyagiri, which tells the story of Spandan Chukya, an MNC intern and the corporate world, seen through his eyes. It was produced by Amritpal Singh Bindra, Anand Tiwari and their company Still & Still Moving Pictures.[21][22]
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.[23][24][25]
In June 2017, Arre launched a new adventure travel show,The 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.[26][27][28]
In April 2018, Arré launched the web seriesOfficial CEOgiri which was a continuity ofOfficial Chukyagiri. ActorSumeet Vyas played the lead character.
In July 2016, Arre joined with internet-based TV streaming andOTT 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."[36][37]
In September 2016, Arre tied up with Mumbai-based Goquest Media to distribute and monetise Arre's content digitally across the world.[38][39]
In September 2016 Arre also announced a distribution partnership withSonyLiv. 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.[40][41] In November 2016 this was followed by an announcement that the companies would co-produce a digital series starring actorRithvik Dhanjani, who would also co-produce the show. Release was planned for early 2017.[42]
As of October 2016, Arre had tied up with France's largest television network,TF1 Xtra and Vodafone Play.[43]
In February 2017, Arre partnered withOla Play, whereby digital content from Arré would be available to stream through Ola's connected car platform.[44]
