DTH
Dish Network and A+E sign multi-year contract renewal deal
MUMBAI: TV viewers in the US will be happy for Dish Network and A+E Networks have decided to continue with their content sharing deal. The duo has agreed to terms for a multi-year contract renewal. With this, Dish customers will have access to A+E Networks’ high-quality content and award-winning programming from its entire portfolio.
This innovative agreement includes OTT multi-stream rights for live and Video-on-Demand (VOD) content. It also expands Dish customers’ access to programming on the satellite service through increased distribution of H2 and FYI in the America’s Top 200 programming package, as well as authenticated live and VOD A+E Networks’ programming on Internet-connected devices.
The renewal applies to the entire suite of A+E Networks’ channels, among the top brands in the media landscape, including: A&E, Lifetime, History, LMN, FYI, H2, History en Espa?ol, Crime + Investigation and Military History.
“I am pleased to call A+E Networks an innovative partner in developing this wide-ranging, creative agreement that will help to define the future of TV,” said Dish president and CEO Joseph P. Clayton through a statement. “Together we are enhancing the customer experience with fresh, dynamic programming that Dish customers will be able to watch when and how they prefer,” he added.
The new OTT rights allow access to A+E Networks’ content through a future multi-stream subscription service of linear and VOD content. With this capability, the content will be available to an untapped segment of customers that is seeking a flexible, content-driven and internet-accessible service.
“We have had a great partnership with Dish for many years and we are delighted that this renewal will carry our partnership well into the future,” said A+E Networks president and CEO Nancy Dubuc. “We are thrilled that Dish’s valued customers will be able to enjoy A+E Networks’ award-winning portfolio of brands across their multiple platforms. We continue to grow and make significant investments in new brands, and as such, we’re particularly pleased with the expanded distribution of FYI and H2.”
The renewal also expands the authenticated A+E Networks programming available to Dish customers at home or on-the-go via internet-connected devices – televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and other devices. Dish customers will be able to use the Dish Anywhere app, dishanywhere.com or A+E Networks’ web properties and apps to view live, VOD and full-season content.
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.
