DTH
Dish TV collaborates with ARC
Mumbai: In a significant step toward promoting environmental awareness and responsible e-waste management, Dish TV partnered with ARC, an educational social impact startup. This collaboration addresses the urgent issue of e-waste and encourages communities to adopt sustainable practices. As a brand committed to sustainability, Dish TV focuses on initiatives that positively impact the social and economic development of the communities it serves, further strengthening its mission to uplift these communities.
Dish TV and ARC launched their first e-waste drive at DPS Greater Faridabad, engaging over 700 students, teachers, and the school principal in a community effort to combat e-waste. This drive is part of a larger vision to equip future generations with the knowledge to make environmentally sound decisions.
The initiative aims to educate students on the harmful impacts of e-waste on health and the environment. Through interactive workshops and hands-on activities, the program encourages critical thinking about their actions’ effects on the planet. It focuses on responsible disposal methods for discarded electronics, helping students recognize their roles in creating a sustainable future.
A highlight of the campaign is ‘Diwali Defenders,’ a creative comic featuring young superheroes called the E-waste Warriors. This engaging concept promotes a ‘waste-free Diwali,’ encouraging students to bring old e-waste to school for responsible disposal. These young ‘defenders’ serve as role models, inspiring peers to lead environmental change in a fun way. The comic illustrates Dish TV’s commitment to making complex issues like e-waste management relatable for students.
Dish TV India Ltd. CEO & executive director Manoj Dobhal said, “At Dish TV, we are committed to fostering sustainable practices that benefit our communities and the environment. This initiative to raise awareness about e-waste goes beyond responsible disposal; it empowers our youth to become proactive stewards of the environment. By educating students on the harmful effects of e-waste and promoting actionable solutions, we’re igniting a movement that inspires the next generation to lead the charge for a cleaner, greener planet. Together, we can transform our commitment into meaningful change and create a sustainable future for all.”
“At ARC, we believe that sustainability thrives on collaboration, not competition,” said ARC founders Ritu Malhotra & Anit Gupta. “Our partnership with Dish TV marks an important step in raising awareness about responsible e-waste disposal. Educating children about the environmental and health impacts of e-waste empowers them to become proactive change-makers. The ‘Diwali Defenders’ campaign by Dish TV has resonated strongly with students, inspiring them to make a tangible difference at home and in their communities. This initiative is poised to divert significant amounts of e-waste from the informal sector, creating a ripple effect that benefits all stakeholders. Schools enrich their curriculum with vital waste management education, while ARC and Dish TV advance their social impact goals together.”
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.
