DTH
Broadband TV network dedicated to romance launches in the US on Valentine’s Day
MUMBAI: Every five seconds a reader buys a romance novel. Now that same person can learn more about the novel’s author, the place where it is set and other behind-the-scenes goodies on romancenovel.tv.
This broadband television network will launch in the US on 14 February 2007 and will aim to bring readers closer to the world of romance novels.
Romance Novel TV (romancenovel.tv) launches with an array of original programming that will feature best-selling authors like Nora Roberts, Christina Dodd, Eloisa James, Mary Jo Putney and JR Ward.
Romance Novel TV president Maria Lokken, says, “I am a big fan of romance novels and I was always curious about the authors’ lives and what inspires them. Romance Novel TV lets readers connect with their favorite writers.”
Romance Novel TV is working with several publishing houses, which are excited about adding another layer to a market that earned $1.2 billion in sales last year.
Shows will include:
On Camera Author Interviews – Fans want to learn more about their favorite authors, who will be the subjects of in-depth interviews. The network will also speak with rising stars as it promotes their books and offers a rare inside look into an author’s life.
Let’s Talk – Filmed in a living room setting, this monthly feature catches three romance novel authors talking about everything from movie stars — to shopping, housing hunting or finding the perfect man.
Romancenovel.tv will also feature new book releases every week and offer links to the publishing houses where readers can make purchases. This page will also be home to the “Editor/Publisher” of the week where fans get the inside track on the latest industry trends from the most important people in the business.
Romance Novel Virgin – Here one can follow a new author in this soap opera style drama as she meets with her editor, makes revisions, examines cover art and finally sees her novel hit bookshelves. One can expect a bit of angst, a little drama and a weekly cliffhanger.
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.
