DTH
Dish TV moves TDSAT over MTV refusal to join its DTH platform
MUMBAI: In what appears to be a test case for the broadcast regulator’s diktat on providing content to all platforms on a nondiscriminatory basis, Dish TV has moved the disputes tribunal seeking legal redressal against, what it says, is MTV’s unwillingness to come on to its DTH platform.
The case has been filed at the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) by Dish TV, 20 per cent owned by Zee Telefilms, and would be heard on 4 April, 2005.
Contacted by Indiantelevision.com, a senior executive of Zee Telefilms confirmed that Dish TV has sought guidance from TDSAT on the issue of MTV, which, has reportedly refused to give its over content citing commercial reasons.
The appeal may set a precedent on the controversial must-provide clause of the interconnect regulation, outlined for the broadcast sector by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
When MTV India was asked by Indiantelevision.com to respond to the TDSAT case, a spokesperson, through an e-mail, said, “We are in the processes of ascertaining the facts and would not like to comment on the matter as of now.”
TDSAT is the only authority that can hear matters of dispute pertaining to TRAI directives and, in recent times, has been deluged with cases relating to the complex broadcast and cable sector.
Though Dish TV has moved the disputes tribunal, company insiders also pointed out that this case amounts to `testing the waters’ before a full-fledged campaign could be launched. Earlier, the country’s first DTH operator had sent letters to Star India and Sony Entertainment TV India, copies of which were mailed to Trai too, asking the two leading broadcasters to join the Dish TV platform.
As of now, pay broadcasters such as Star, Sony and Ten Sports do not offer their content to the DTH platform of Dish TV.
According to information available, the response to these letters has been tepid from all sides, including the sector regulator that is still grappling with its internal apprehensions and a not-so-hot relationship that it shares with the information and broadcasting ministry.
The must-provide clause, penned by the regulator with an aim to bring about a level playing field in the cut-throat broadcast industry and give the consumer more choice, has thrown up more questions than it has answered.
It is still not clear whether certain contentions could be made on the back of the must-provide clause of the interconnect regulation as Trai had said, at one point of time, that it would get effective when a second DTH operator enters the arena.
Though pubcaster Doordarshan operates a DTH service, its presence is unlikely to have an effect on the clause as the service is free of subscription money, which has led pay channels to keep away from it.
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.
