DTH
Dish TV crosses one lakh downloads of DishOnline
MUMBAI: The newly launched DishOnline application by Dish TV crossed one lakh downloads in less than 30 days of its launch.
The DTH operator was quick on its feet to understand the trend of consumers preferring to watch TV anywhere anytime. This prompted Dish TV to launch its DishOnline application that is a first-of-its-kind online video streaming service that allows customers to watch TV across devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.
Dish TV India COO Salil Kapoor said: “This trend in the Indian market is in line with the global market where device shift for TV content consumption is clearly visible (from one TV to multi-screen TV/ tablets/ smartphones/ laptops). As a pioneer and market leader, it was imperative that we demonstrate thought-leadership and launch this new service for the benefit of our subscribers. We are thankful to our subscribers for this encouraging initial response. New products such as this have a tremendous potential to grow and we look forward to capturing an even wider subscriber base in the times to come.”
It is a unique service from Dish TV that allows subscribers to watch live and catch up TV including videos and movies. DishOnline has a huge library of movies (1000 plus titles) which can be enjoyed anywhere anytime on the go.
It is a paid service priced at Rs 129 for the Jumbo pack and at Rs 69 for the Starter pack (currently being offered at Rs 69 and Rs 29 as an introductory offer). The initial success of this product proved that the consumption of content by consumers is evolving and they are ready to pay extra for convenience that includes both time and screen.
Dish TV launched this innovative path-breaking service – DishOnline – in early October that proposed to redefine TV viewing in India. This service is being provided to the family of 15 million plus subscribers of Dish TV. It is a full-fledged OTT (over the top) streaming application.
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.
