DTH
DishTV launches customised packs in Karnataka, AP & Telangana
MUMBAI: In a bid to acquire subscribers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during Phase III areas of Digital Addressable System (DAS), direct to home (DTH) operator DishTV has launched a new package called Khushi, which offers customers the power to create their own pack.
The new includes 45 South Indian channels, five Kannada channels and 11 Telugu channels.
For the customers moving to DishTV, the company offers various options by providing them a choice of custom-made 17 entertainment add-on packs ranging from Rs 25 – 75 per month and regional add-ons starting from Rs 10 per month.
Subscribers can avail best of Kannada entertainment at as low as Rs 139 per month and wholesome Kannada entertainment at Rs 169 per month. Further to appease the need for sports enthusiasts, the sports add on with best of Kannada entertainment is available at Rs 189 per month.
For accessing Telugu entertainment, customers will have to pay Rs 139 per month. Popular kids add on with complete Telugu entertainment is priced at Rs 164 per month and the sports add on with complete Telugu entertainment will be available at Rs 189 per month.
DishTV CEO Arun Kapoor said, “Over the years we have observed the trend of the viewer preferences prevailing in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. They have an inclination for regional content. Keeping this in mind DishTV has always been at the forefront to provide innovative solutions to enhance the TV viewing experience for our subscribers in regional markets.”
He further added, “Now, with the extension of deadline for the phase III of TV digitisation in India, we aim to capitalise the huge captive user base, which would be switching from analogue cable to digital platform. Khushi offers its subscribers the ‘Power to create your own pack’ and ensure that they enjoy seamless services with uninterrupted entertainment at cost effective rates.”
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.
