DTH
Videocon d2h enhances video expereince with Cisco Virtual DCM
MUMBAI: Cisco today announced that Videocon d2h India’s leading DTH platform has selected the Cisco Virtual DCM® to provide its subscribers with superior video experiences. The deployment provides Videocon d2h with a flexible infrastructure and simplified operations for advanced video processing functionality taking advantage of virtualization and orchestration from Cisco’s Virtualized Video Processing (V2P) platform. The Virtual DCM provides Videocon d2h the bandwidth efficiencies to deploy new services and meet ever-increasing consumer demands for 4K, multiscreen, OTT and Cloud DVR. The Cisco Visual Networking Index Forecast 2015-2020 predicts that by 2020, 82% of IP traffic by will be video, and 50% of IP video traffic will be HD/UHD, and mobile devices will drive most of the growth, making 43% of IP traffic. With availability of more content for an ever increasing number of video-enabled devices, it is critical to maximize video delivery over available bandwidth and multiple networks.
Videocon d2h executive director Saurabh Dhoot said, “Our association with V2P platform of Cisco provides us the ability to enhance, extend and enrich video offerings so that today’s consumers receive more immersive and personalized viewing experience. Our focus is on innovating and extending the service offerings like 4K UHD, OTT as per the changing preference thus enriching viewing pleasure.”
“The time is right to capitalize on the unprecedented opportunities presented by the wave of digitization in the country. When it comes to customer service, digitization empowers us to better understand our customers.” said Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera. “We are committed to creating the highest-quality consumer experience. 4K content is the future and with this development we are completely geared up and future-ready to embark on the cloud journey. We look forward to working closely with Cisco on the implementation of the solution to provide better consumer experience.” he added
“Today digital platforms are changing the way people experience television. Cisco’s V2P solutions help our customers meet the ever-changing demands of the video industry. Cisco is providing Videocon d2h with a platform to transform its business in India to develop and deliver dynamic, secure new services with the agility and speed necessary to stay ahead of competition. Our association with Videocon reflects our continued commitment to deliver the right IT platform to enhance their customer service and loyalty” said Cisco India & SAARC service provider business MD Sanjay Kaul.
DTH
DD Free Dish e-auction revenue dips to Rs 642 crore as slot sales fall
Revenue dips as revised norms reshape bidding in 94th round
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati’s DD Free Dish has closed its 8th annual, and 94th overall, e-auction for MPEG-2 slots with total collections of Rs 642 crore for the period April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
That is lower than last year’s Rs 780 crore haul, with 55 slots sold compared with 61 in FY25–26. The softer topline reflects both a slimmer inventory and a recalibrated auction framework.
This was the first auction conducted after amendments to the e-auction methodology, including tighter eligibility norms and a revised reserve price structure for MPEG-2 slots. The stated aim was greater transparency and more serious participation. The immediate outcome appears to be more measured bidding in certain categories.
Day one set the tone. Eight slots were sold, six in the premium Bucket A+ and two in Bucket A. The strong early action in A+, which typically houses Hindi GECs and movie channels, reaffirmed the enduring appeal of mass Hindi programming on the platform.
Among the broadcasters securing slots in the initial rounds were Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Sony Pictures Networks India, Viacom18’s Colors network, Sun Network and Shemaroo Entertainment. Their continued presence signals that, despite the pull of digital platforms, Free Dish remains a strategic must have for legacy networks chasing scale in price sensitive markets.
The final bouquet of 55 channels leans heavily towards Hindi news, movies, devotional fare, Bhojpuri and regional programming.
In Hindi news, familiar heavyweights such as Aaj Tak, ABP News, India TV, News18 India, Republic Bharat and Zee News made the cut. Entertainment and movie offerings include Colors Rishtey, Star Utsav, Dangal TV, Sony Pal, Shemaroo TV, Goldmines, B4U Movies and Zee Biskope. Devotional viewers will find Aastha, Sanskar and Sadhna Gold among the selected channels.
Regional representation includes Sun Marathi, Fakt Marathi, PTC Punjabi and GTC Punjabi.
Equally telling were the absences. Broadcasters such as Big Magic, Filamchi Bhojpuri, India News, Bharat Express, Movieplex Maithili, TV9 Marathi, Shemaroo Marathibana, Zee Chitra Mandir and Satsang did not participate. The pullback is particularly visible across Marathi, Bhojpuri, Maithili and spiritual programming. Industry observers point to the revised reserve prices, tighter eligibility norms and a reassessment of commercial viability as possible factors.
DD Free Dish continues to beam into over 40 million homes, largely in rural and semi urban India. For advertisers and broadcasters alike, it offers efficient access to Bharat markets where pay TV penetration remains uneven and OTT subscriptions are limited.
The moderation in revenue this year may be read as a pause rather than a retreat. Fewer slots, a reworked auction playbook and evolving broadcaster strategies have clearly shaped outcomes. Yet premium Hindi entertainment retains its pull, and the platform’s mass reach remains hard to ignore.
As the FY26–27 line-up settles in, the mix of winners and walkaways will define the private satellite channel landscape on DD Free Dish for the year ahead.
