DTH
AOL, Charter Communications ink broadband marketing partnership
MUMBAI: Reinforcing its commitment to the global HDTV industry, the Banff World Television Festival in Canada has joined forces with NHK, Japans public broadcaster, to offer up the NHK Presidents Prize for the sixth consecutive year.
NHK will sponsor the special award, which includes a $25,000 cash prize for the best HDTV programme.
All HD programmes entered into the 2006 Banff World Television Awards will be eligible for nomination. The winner will be announced at the 2006 Banff World Television Awards ceremony during The 27th Banff World Television Festival, from 11 to14 June 2006.
Banff World Television Festival CEO Robert Montgomery says, As a public broadcaster, NHK is also a leader in advanced HD technology, which is an incredibly important focus for us. We are delighted at the opportunity to work with NHK again in recognizing HDs true visionaries.
NHK president Genichi Hashimoto says, “NHK always has a keen eye on the potential of new broadcasting technologies, so we’re delighted to encourage producers and directors who are leading the way in HDTV production. Given the increasing global dominance of HDTV and the Banff World Television Awards’ commitment to recognizing excellence, we look forward to seeing outstanding HD work in the competition”.
The Banff World Television Awards include 18 categories covering the major program genres andnew this yeara category recognising excellence in interactive television. A Banff Rockie will be awarded to the best entry in each of the 18 categories. Entry forms and the detailed regulations for the 2006 Banff World Television Awards international program competition are available at www.banMUMBAI: AOL and Charter Communications, Inc have inked a partnership to offer consumers the AOL service and Charter’s high-speed internet access.
The combined offer provides AOL members access to the AOL service’s leading security features and exclusive content via Charter’s true high-speed Internet connection at the price of $25.90 per month.
Beginning on 6 February, AOL members in the Charter footprint will be able to sign-up for the new combined offering, as well as order a cable modem, making it simple and convenient to upgrade from dial up.
“With the addition of Charter to AOL’s coast-to-coast broadband network, we’re expanding our footprint so that more AOL members around the country are able to take advantage of a competitively-priced high-speed offering. We’re happy to add this major new cable partner to our network of Internet providers as we are entering this new phase for our company,” said AOL Access Business president Joe Redling.
Charter executive vice president and chief marketing officer Bob Quigley said, “Through this innovative marketing partnership, we’re targeting new high-speed customers and expanding our customer base. Our robust high-speed product makes all aspects of the Internet experience better, and together with AOL’s popular online service, provides a very compelling offer.”
Key features of the new offering will include:
Speed: The high speed of broadband makes all aspects of the Internet experience more valuable.
Fast and Easy Setup: Makes getting up and running quick and easy.
Customer Service: Help that’s available 24/7, including help via phone, e-mail or instant message.
Safety: A comprehensive set of safety and security tools available to keep users safer against viruses, spyware, identify theft, and other online threats for no additional charge.
Content: AOL exclusive and original programming including commercial free radio, streaming video and additional Charter content offerings through charter.net.
Storage: Additional benefits like unlimited email and picture storage on AOL.
ff2006.com.
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.
