DTH
Dish TV redefines its pay-TV services with Verimatrix security
MUMBAI: Verimatrix, a specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for network-connected devices, has announced that it has been selected by Dish TV India Limited to provide cardless security for its direct-to-home (DTH) service offerings. The former will illustrate how security solutions are at the core of all key monetisation strategies for the pay-TV and internet video service at IBC 2017.
DishTV is Asia’s largest DTH video service provider and is the only DTH operator to operate through three satellites in space. The Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS™) for DVB was selected as one of its critical CAS partners for its future-proof approach to revenue security that can scale with the company as it continues to evolve business models and maintains its position as a market leader.
“Our infrastructural and technological edge allows us to continually develop new innovations and revolutionize our service offerings, so it has become crucial that our revenue security measures are robust yet flexible enough to keep pace,” said DishTV COO V K Gupta.
Based on a single content authority approach, VCAS for DVB offers a modern approach to multi-device streaming as video service providers like DishTV redefine their pay-TV services. The solution is completely compliant to applicable DVB standards and pre-integrated with a broad range of partner headend and software systems. Additionally, its cardless set-top box client technology provides new, essential levels of security that would be virtually impossible to achieve with legacy systems.
“The Asia’s largest DTH provider continues to enhance its offerings and maintains its stance apart from competition in the region,” said Verimatrix president Steve Oetegenn.
“Dish TV has long-established itself as the pioneer in the Indian DTH broadcast industry, and VCAS for DVB is optimally designed to adapt to any scenario it may face as the Indian pay-TV industry continues to undergo rapid transformation. In essence, the security framework will never become obsolete.”
Verimatrix specializes in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-network, multi-screen digital TV services and is recognized in revenue security for connected video devices.
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.
