DTH
Chinese cable op uses BigBand Digital TV mgt to expand programme lineup
MUMBAI: With the aim of expanding its programme lineup and maximising bandwidth efficiency Nanjing Radio and Television Network has done a deal with BigBand Networks which provides network platforms for video, voice and data services in China.
Nanjing has deployed the BigBand Broadband Multimedia-Service Router (BMR) for its digital television services. The operator, one of China’s largest, is using extensive functionality of the BigBand Digital TV Management solution to deliver live programming in its network with more than 800,000 subscribers.
This BMR platform deployment will also allow Nanjing to introduce more advanced services and functionality. Nanjing states that it chose BigBand Networks as it distinguished itself from alternatives with a complete and flexible solution design that accesses content from various sources, achieves total control over program lineups and bandwidth efficiency, and performs the necessary processing for reliable delivery to Nanjing subscribers.
The BigBand BMR provides a complete solution for Nanjing’s current needs and also has next-generation capabilities to evolve with our expanding initiatives such as Gigabit Ethernet networking between facilities. The Nanjing deployment utilises multiple BigBand Digital TV Management functions for end-to-end delivery. The modular port flexibility of the BigBand BMR is leveraged to access content from a variety of program source types, including satellite downlinks, terrestrial broadcast feeds and local storage.
The operator determines which of the accessed programmes to carry and what channel lineups to utilise, which is realised through statistical remultiplexing with RateShaping bit rate adaptation maintaining video quality while maximising bandwidth efficiency. The content is modulated by broadcast QAM modules on the BMR for robust delivery to any digital subscriber device including support for DVB Simulcrypt security.
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.
