DTH
Dish TV goes mobile, Zee dons new look
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NEW DELHI: It’s action time at the Subhash Chandra-controlled Zee Telefilms. The network not only has gone in for a complete makeover, including logos, but has also introduced the concept of mobile DTH service through its 20 per cent owned service, Dish TV. |
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A similar experiment is being tried out by Indian pubcaster Doordarshan through mobile digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) in Chennai. |
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With a consumer base of over 200,000, as claimed by Dish TV, the DTH service provider is pushing aggressively to press home some early advantage as it becomes imminent that Space TV, a joint venture between the Tatas and Star, would get a nod for a DTH service sooner or later.  Now for the news of the makeover. After almost 13 years of existence, Zee Network has decided to sport a new look, which also includes renaming of the three English channels. So, from 27 march midnight Zee English is Zee Café, ZMZ is Zee Studios and MX is Zee Select. Comedy channel Smile TV is now Zee Smile and Trendz is Zee Trendz. All channels under the Alpha brand will be now under Zee brand. The channels’ new, crisp and contemporary logos are part of a game plan to get a new image. In addition, Zee TV will have brand new on-air packaging and promotions as well. |
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According to a statement from Zee, the regional Alpha channels will be called Zee Marathi, Zee Bangla, Zee Gujarati, Zee Punjabi and Zee Telugu. The re-branding exercise is being undertaken in a phased manner. Initially, the old and the new logos will be displayed together on the TV screens for the convenience of viewers. Gradually, the old logos will be phased out. The statement quoted Zee Telefilms CEO Pradeep Guha as saying, “This re-branding exercise is the first step in weaving a thread of common identity between our many diverse brands. And, while each brand is a distinct entity of its own, now it is also an unmistakable member of the Zee family. Also, the re-branding is aimed at adding the extra zing and edge, which reinvents the spirit of the brand and brings it closer to our younger audience cohorts.” Zee Telefilms, launched in October 1992, reaches more than 120 countries and has access to more than 500 million viewers globally. Zee Network has created strong brand equity for itself over the past years and is currently the largest media franchise serving the South Asian diaspora. |
India’s first Direct-to-Home (DTH) service late last week unveiled a dish that can be installed on moving vehicles for TV viewing on the move. This is aimed at tapping long-distance bus and tour operators in the country.
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.
