DTH
Videocon d2h re – launches exclusive movie service as Evergreen Classics
MUMBAI: Videocon d2h has tied-up with Shemaroo Entertainment to re-launch its d2h Classic Movies service as Evergreen Classics. This VAS Service is available from February 15th on Channel 215 and will be on one month free preview with refreshed line up of classic old Hindi movies till 15th March 2018.
Evergreen Classics service will showcase classic Bollywood movies right from the black and white era to the 80s. Besides movies, viewers will enjoy a special original chat show, watch biographies, songs and get trivia about their favourite yesteryear stars. The service is designed to take the millennials through those glorious Evergreen Classics which they have never experienced but only heard about. Videocon d2h Evergreen Classics will showcase the rich collection of movie like Pyaasa, Mahal, Mother India, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Boot Polish, Andaaz, Devdas and many more.
Executive Chairman Videocon d2h Limited – Mr. Saurabh Dhoot said, “We reaffirm our strategy to provide innovative holistic family entertainment. I am delighted that we are launching Evergreen Classics.”
Shemaroo Entertainment Limited – Director, Mr. Hiren Gada shared, “Evergreen Classics brings to the audience a carefully curated service of the finest movies by notable film makers from the golden era of Bollywood, coupled with original programming. The service is fuelled by Shemaroo’s exhaustive library of content and programming expertise. Evergreen Classics is in line with our endeavour to always add value to our business partners and boost their offerings with our content prowess. We are sure that the audiences will definitely enjoy this offering.”
Videocon d2h takes pride in presenting its subscribers with a robust line-up of more than 650+ channels and services, including a host of regional channels. It offers a wide range of active services like Smart English, Smart Games. The other active services include d2h Hollywood HD, d2h music, d2h spice, d2h cinema in both Standard Definition and HD, etc.
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.
