DTH
Zindagi DTH’s September lineup features powerful women protagonists
Mumbai: While the world is talking about women empowerment in their own ways, Zindagi shows its support to it in the best way by giving the audiences a dive into September with the best women-led dramas. From heart-wrenching tales of love and loss to inspiring stories of resilience, the lineup offers something for every mood and feeling.
To begin with, Zindagi DTH is also set to showcase two new shows. Starting 3 Sept is Koi Chand Rakh, featuring Imran Abbas, Ayeza Khan, Areeba Habib, Muneeb Butt from at 7:30 pm the focus on complicated relationships, about love and enviousness. Followed by Badi Apa, a show featuring Savera Nadeem in the lead. Incidentally, it also marks the show’s eleventh anniversary since its release.
Premiering on 11 September at 9 pm, viewers can tune in to Hum Kahan Kay Sacchay They. This gripping drama stars Mahira Khan and Kubra Khan, portraying the complex relationship between two cousins who navigate childhood trauma and societal pressures. What happens when revenge starts tearing apart sisterhood?
Talking about her role as Mashal in Hum Kahan Kay Sacchay Thay, Kubra Khan said, “I was grateful for the opportunity to play Mashal, a character in a series that’s true to its nature; be it insecurity or vulnerability. Life isn’t just black and white.. It’s also about all the greys that come with it and how each individual deals with their reality in their own way. This was one of the most challenging and multilayered characters I’ve ever taken on. We received tremendous love and appreciation from the Pakistani audience when the show was released, and I am hopeful for a similar response from our Indian viewers when it airs on Zindagi’s DTH services this month. I’m excited for the audience to watch the show and share their feedback with us.”
Starting on 19 September at 6 pm, Yeh Raha Dil will offer a heartwarming tale of love, heartbreak, and forgiveness. Starring Ahmed Ali Akbar and Yumna Zaidi, the series explores the intricacies of human relationships and the power of second chances.
Along with these, the month of September, will also witness the release of Daam starring Sanam Baloch, Aamina Sheikh, Adeel Hussain, Nimra Bucha, Sanam Saeed on 17 September at 7:30 pm and Baaghi starring Saba Qamar, Osman Khalid Butt which will be available for the audiences from 26 September at 7:30 pm.
Tune in exclusively on Zindagi DTH Tata Play (Channel no. 154), Dish TV and D2h (Channel no. 117), and Airtel TV (Channel no. 102) to indulge in these excellent performances by strong and impactful women actors this September.
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.
