DTH
DD all set to enter DTH fray
NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Guess what? The Big Daddy of them all – Doordarshan – is about to enter the direct to home (DTH) arena.
It is learnt from government sources that The Planning Commission has approved Doordarshan’s foray into DTH. Pubcaster Prasar Bharati has sanctioned Rs 5 billion for DD’s DTH plans. The decision comes only a day after it was announced that Prasar Bharati would be instituting a major revamp of both DD and All India Radio by investing Rs 110 billion during the 10th Five Year Plan.
It was on 3 April that indiantelevision.com broke the news that the DTH licence sought by the Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises had been cleared by the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry paving the way for the work to begin on putting together a DTH platform.
DD’s entry into DTH comes almost 4 years (June 1999) after Prasar Bharati first applied for a licence to be allowed to start DTH to the I&B ministry.
Star India, which has also applied for a DTH licence through Space TV is still awaiting government clearance.
DTH
DD Free Dish locks in 8 Mpeg-2 slots; Star, Zee, Sony, Colors lead day 1
With higher prices and tighter rules, India’s top broadcasters secure coveted free-to-air positions.
NEW DELHI: The battle for India’s television screens has officially begun. On the opening day of Prasar Bharati’s 8th annual e-auction, heavyweights like Star, Zee, Sony, and Colors successfully secured eight coveted Mpeg-2 slots on DD Free Dish.
According to the media reports, this year’s auction is a significant departure from the past. The process assumes added significance this year as it is the first after Prasar Bharati amended its E-auction Methodology, tightening eligibility conditions and revising the reserve price structure for Mpeg-2 slots.
Despite the stricter rules and higher costs, the industry’s major networks showed no hesitation. Of the eight slots sold on Monday, six belonged to the premium Bucket A plus (Hindi general entertainment) and two to Bucket A (Hindi movies).
Industry experts suggest that this early rush is all about reach. DD Free Dish currently beams into roughly 45 million households, mostly in rural and semi-urban areas. For broadcasters, missing out on this platform means losing access to a massive chunk of India’s viewing public.
The new rules, rolled out in January 2026, have raised the stakes significantly. For Bucket A plus (Hindi general entertainment channels), the reserve price now starts at Rs 15 crore, while Bucket A (Hindi movies) begins at Rs 12 crore, marking a notable increase from previous years.
To prevent tactical low-ball bidding, the prices will only go up in subsequent rounds. For instance, the second round for Bucket A plus jumps to Rs 16 crore. By front-loading the auction, Prasar Bharati ensures that the most popular channels pay a premium for the best positions on the dial.
One of the most talked-about changes in this 94th e-auction is the operational clause. To stop speculative bidding, channels must now prove they are already active on at least one private DTH platform or a registered cable operator. In short: if your channel isn’t already on air somewhere, you aren’t invited to the party.
While it sounds like a corporate chess match, the outcome dictates what millions of people will watch for the next year (from April 2026 to March 2027). With the big networks securing their spots early, viewers can expect the usual mix of high-drama soaps and blockbuster films to remain the staples of free-to-air TV.
As the auction continues, the industry is watching to see if smaller players can stomach the rising costs or if the free dish universe will become an exclusive club for the media giants.
