DTH
Dish TV India launches an entire new range of ‘Smart Connected Devices’
MUMBAI: Strengthening its technology product portfolio, Dish TV India Ltd., world’s largest single-country DTH Company, today launched a complete range of smart devices, an internet enabled Android based HD Set Top Box and Voice enabled Alexa Built-in smart kit.
Eliminating the hassle of switching between linear TV and OTT apps, the latest offerings from Dish TV India effectively aim to combine the two through a single entertainment device. This new technologically advanced offering – an internet enabled Android based HD Set Top Box ‘Dish SMRT Hub’ is available at a price of INR 3999 for new subscribers & INR 2499 for existing subscribers.
Dish SMRT Hub is Android HD set top box which runs on Android TV operating system by Google. The devices are using Android TV™ 9.0 and have been designed to deliver best in class picture quality and sound to the viewers. It will also offer access to the Google Play Store and Google Assistant allowing the users to download and stream content from all popular OTT platforms. The new offerings from Dish TV India will support all popular OTT platforms like Watcho, Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, Voot, ALTBalaji and YouTube etc.
With built-in Google Assistant & Chromecast and superior Dolby audio, the Android HD set top box extends the ultimate cinematic experience to viewers in the comfort of their homes. A user can stream content from any device directly to the TV screen without any lag. Now Users can download thousands of apps and Play games right on their TV without needing an additional gaming console. Adding to the seamless experience, the Dish SMRT Hub further allow users to operate and control the device using simple voice commands. Available with native support for video content OTT platforms, the Integrated Google assistant converts this box into a smart home hub, enabling the users to control their smart homes with a single remote.
The Android based set top box will work on any television and support OTT platforms Watcho, ZEE5, Amazon Prime Video, Voot, ALTBalaji and YouTube to name a few.
Dish SMRT Kit – the voice enabled kit with a dongle and remote powered by Amazon Alexa are priced at INR 1199 and available for existing DishTV subscribers. This allows subscribers to access popular OTT Apps and thousands of Alexa skills on their existing set top boxes.
The Dish SMRT Kit with Alexa-powered remote control will help users seamlessly bridge the gap between real-time TV content and best of engaging content available online. The super affordable Dish SMRT Kit comprising Wi-Fi dongle, a Bluetooth and a sleek looking Alexa-enabled remote control, provides access to thousands of Alexa skills. These skills will help users to use voice as an intuitive and preferred mode of
interaction on their set top boxes to book cabs, get latest news, information & recipes, set reminders for their favorite programs, get recommendations on trending programs, access their account details, register ‘call me’ request, discover movies, sports & music and also control smart home devices just through voice commands. To get started, customers will need to set up the smart kits with their Amazon account. Once set up, customers can simply say – 'Alexa, tell me the news’, ‘Alexa, what’s the cricket score?’ OR ‘Alexa, play latest Bollywood songs’, to enjoy a voice-controlled experience.
Further, DishTV has tied-up with HANDAN, who is manufacturing partner for DishTV, worked extensively on this project to bring in voice functionality in DishTV STB’s.
Commenting on the launch of these new products, Mr. Anil Dua, Executive Director & Group CEO, Dish TV India Limited, said, “We are delighted to launch the most advanced Android powered Set Top Box and the Alexa Built-in smart kit for DishTV customers and this is a significant milestone for Dish TV India. The Dish SMRT Hub is a customized device which allows users to have uninterrupted video streaming and access to TV content. It is capable of delivering superior viewing experience owing to its immersive features like in-built Google Assistant, Chromecast and myriad other smart features. The Dish SMRT Kit is a big add-on to our current STB’s and with this our customers can enjoy the ease of using voice commands for accessing information through Alexa for all their needs. With these launches DishTV is making a strong statement of providing best-in-class technology and experience to its customers.”
Recently, Dish TV India Limited had also introduced SMRT Stick, allowing users to stream content from OTT services through Dish TV set top box. Additionally, focusing on premium short format content, the company forayed into OTT space earlier this year by launching its own OTT platform, ‘Watcho’. With this DishTV takes another step towards providing entertainment across linear and online sources on any screen for customers across all segments.
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.
