DTH
DishTV selects Wyplay to provide middleware and VAS to STBs
MUMBAI DishTV has selected creator of software solutions for pay-TV operators Wyplay, to provide its Frog Turnkey Middleware and associated class leading value added services on its STBs.
The DishTV concept has created some excitement amongst the operator community which is struggling for freedom from the monopolistic construct of the pay-TV space. Future solutions’ will be built from top partners’ products while keeping in mind the idea of flexibility, openness and the possibility to evolve without constraints and any E2E lock.
Speaking on the occasion, DishTV COO VK Gupta said: “Being the pioneer and market leader, DishTV has selected Wyplay as our future middleware partner. Wyplay will enable DishTV in delivering class leading value added services on both one-way and connected STB’s with its expertise, innovative technologies and a holistic approach to customer engagement that is fully in line with DishTV’s’ driving purpose to provide ‘Service with a Passion’. This is an ultimate move made towards ensuring customer engagement and satisfaction.”
Recognized as a global leader in innovative software solutions for TV operators, Wyplay brings its expertise and know-how to the table, in particular through the integration of its browser-based middleware on new generation set-top boxes, the customization of its HTML5 user interface, execution excellence to deliver an easy-to-use and smooth user experience, and improved overall performance in terms of flexibility, fluidity, speed, and responsiveness.
Wyplay CEO Jacques Bourgninaud, said: “We are thrilled to partner with DishTV, Asia’s largest DTH company, in delivering a brand new customer experience to its subscribers.” He added: “After several months of assessment and preparation, we are now confident that all conditions needed for a successful international expansion of Frog Turnkey solution are in place, especially in terms of collaboration with STB manufacturers supporting our solution. We are now in the home stretch before the deployment of our offering, and excited about prospective for development in this new unique market.”
Beyond European and Latin America markets, Wyplay confirms its strategy of expansion with its Frog Turnkey solution. Launched last September, Frog Turnkey solution incorporates all features required for traditional linear broadcast TV consumption, on-demand contents, applications distributed over the Internet, backend components and a modern user experience. Frog Turnkey aims to bring an attractive digital TV experience to subscribers with an affordable business model and fast deployment model for operators.
With Frog Turnkey solution, Dish TV’s customers will have access to a complete end-to-end offering from back-end broadcast services to an advanced client managing Live TV, Record, Push VOD and Interactive Applications.
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.
