DTH
Videocon d2h launches mobile TV app; strengthens OTT commitment
MUMBAI: In order to strengthen its over the top (OTT) service, direct to home (DTH) operator Videocon d2h has launched a mobile TV app. The new app – Direct to Mobile TV will make it possible for Videocon d2h subscribers to watch television anytime, anywhere on their mobile phones.
Available on both iOS and Android, the Direct to Mobile TV app will give viewers instant access to a wide range of news, entertainment, sports and movie channels. The platform currently boasts of more than 70 select live TV channels and more than 3,000 movies and videos.
Priced at Rs 60 per month, the offering includes channels, such as Sony Entertainment Television, Sony Max, Sony Music, Sab, Aaj Tak and many regional language channels. The service also features a programme guide, show reminders and social media integration, besides the What’s Hot section.
Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are happy to be on the leading edge of India’s OTT revolution with the launch of our Direct to Mobile TV app. This is an important move for Videocon d2h, as we strengthen our commitment to introducing new technologies to our subscribers, allowing them to have a robust and enhanced experience while viewing our contents. We are confident that an increasing number of consumers will enjoy this offering in the days to come.”
The Direct to Mobile TV service targets an increasing number of working professionals, shoppers and students spending time outside their homes with round-the-clock access to TV, films and other desired programmes regardless of location.
Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “With our new Direct to Mobile TV app, Videocon d2h’s subscribers will never have to miss their favourite shows while on the move. We believe it affirms our continuous focus on innovation and our ability to deliver high quality solutions and services. We are sure that this mobile TV app will be of great interest to our viewers and will ensure our prominent presence in the OTT space.”
DTH
DD Free Dish e-auction heats up with 26 MPEG-2 slots sold in two days
Hindi movies, GEC and news dominate; Star Utsav Movies tops Day 2 at Rs 213.45 crore
MUMBAI- The bidding war on DD Free Dish is turning into a blockbuster and the slots are selling faster than popcorn at interval. Prasar Bharati’s 8th annual MPEG-2 e-auction delivered another strong day on Tuesday, with 18 more channels securing spots across movies, regional music and news buckets, taking the two-day total to 26.
Day 2 belonged to the movies and news categories. In Bucket A (Hindi Movies), Star Utsav Movies led the pack at Rs 213.45 crore, pipped only narrowly by Zee Action at Rs 213.4 crore. Goldmines landed at Rs 13.35 crore and Zee Anmol at Rs 13.3 crore, showing razor-thin price bands and fierce competition. Bucket B saw Zee Bioscope top at Rs 10.6 crore, Bhojpuri Cinema Rs 10.5 crore, B4U Bhojpuri Rs 10.2 crore, while Showbox, Unique TV and B4U Music each closed at Rs 10.25 crore.
News channels in Bucket C stayed tightly bunched: NDTV, Aaj Bharat, Zee News and India TV all secured slots at Rs 8.6 crore, with News Nation and ABP News slightly higher at Rs 8.65 crore. Bucket D rounded out with Russia Today at Rs 9.75 crore and GTC Punjabi at Rs 7.92 crore.
Day 1 had already set a premium tone, with eight slots snapped up – six in Bucket A+ (Hindi/Urdu GEC, starting reserve Rs 15 crore) and two in Bucket A (Hindi/Urdu Movies, starting Rs 12 crore). Sony PAL topped Day 1 winners at Rs 16.55 crore, Star Utsav Rs 16.25 crore, Shemaroo TV Rs 16.35 crore, Zee Anmol, Colors Rishtey and Sun Neo at Rs 16.40 crore each. Sony WAH took a Bucket A slot at Rs 13.95 crore and Zee Anmol Cinema at Rs 13.45 crore.
The surge reflects broadcasters’ hunger for DD Free Dish’s estimated 43–45 million rural and semi-urban households, where Hindi GEC and movies remain advertising goldmines.
The auction runs under the revised E-auction Methodology 2025 (amended 9 January 2026), with escalating reserves – Round 2 Bucket A+ at Rs 16 crore, Round 3 Bucket A at Rs 13 crore – and stricter eligibility to weed out speculative bids. Channels must be operational, available in the relevant language, and already carried on at least one private DTH, DD Free Dish or registered MSO.
With premium genres flying off the shelf, the coming rounds will test how deep pockets really are as reserves climb and tactical down-bidding gets harder. In India’s largest free-to-air universe, these auctions aren’t just about slots – they’re about who gets to stay on the screen that reaches deepest into the heartland.
