DTH
DTH operators lost 0.97 million subscribers at the end of September 2021: Trai
Mumbai: The number of active subscribers with pay DTH operators decreased from 69.86 million at the end of June to 68.89 million by the end of September, according to the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) data. This is in addition to the subscribers of DTH Free Dish.
The top four DTH players are Tata Sky with 33.34 per cent, followed by Bharti Telemedia at 26.11 per cent, Dish TV India at 22.65 per cent and Sun Direct at 17.91 per cent. Bharti Telemedia and Sun Direct’s share increased whereas Tata Sky and Dish TV India’s share decreased over the previous quarter.
The total number of private satellite TV channels decreased from 915 in the previous quarter to 906 channels for uplinking only, downlinking only and both uplinking and downlinking. The number of pay TV channels increased from 346 to 348 which include 252 SD and 96 HD satellite pay TV channels.
There are 1745 multi-system operators registered with the I&B ministry out of which 12 MSOs and one Hits (headend-in-the-sky) operator have a subscriber base greater than one million.
The number of internet subscribers increased from 833.71 million to 834.29 million out of which 794.88 million were broadband subscribers and 39.41 million were narrowband subscribers. Wired internet subscribers increased from 23.58 million to 24.47 million. Out of total internet subscribers, 96.91 per cent are using mobile devices to access the internet.
The total number of VSAT subscribers increased from 289,392 to 289,557 quarter on quarter. Hughes Communications continues to be the market leader with 45.84 per cent share in VSAT with a subscriber base of 132,727 followed by Nelco at 75,535. Hughes added the maximum number of VSAT subscribers (3003) during the quarter. Bharti Airtel, BSNL and Infotel Satcom have registered a decline in their VSAT subscribers during the quarter. It should be noted that Hughes Communications and Bharti Airtel have combined the VSAT businesses of both companies in a new joint venture announced recently.
The average revenue per user of wireless subscribers in September stood at Rs 108.16 with revenue from data usage at Rs 97.36.
DTH
Dish TV launches ‘Kuch chhota sa’ campaign for TV flexibilit
New campaign highlights 190+ channels, Always-On service, Rs 99 Freedom Pack.
MUMBAI- Sometimes, the smallest remote click can fix the biggest daily friction and Dish TV is betting on exactly that insight. The company has rolled out a new campaign built around the thought ‘Kuch chhota sa karne par, life hogi behtar’, turning everyday viewing annoyances into a case for simpler, more reliable television access.
The campaign taps into a familiar household reality: millions of viewers continue to rely on free-to-air channels but increasingly want the flexibility of premium content, often ending up with a patchy and inconsistent viewing experience. Dish TV positions itself as the middle path—a structured yet flexible alternative that promises continuity without complexity. At its core is the pitch of an “Always-On” service, designed to keep content accessible even when recharge timelines slip, effectively reducing one of the most common friction points in DTH consumption.
To strengthen this proposition, the platform is offering access to over 190 channels, alongside a flexible pricing hook through its Freedom Pack, starting at Rs 99. The pack is positioned as a seasonal companion particularly relevant during high-engagement periods such as cricket tournaments, school holidays and festive windows, when content consumption spikes but users may not want long-term commitments.
Conceptualised by Enormous, the campaign unfolds through two master films and three short edits rooted in slice-of-life storytelling. From a husband quietly navigating around his sleeping wife to siblings striking a compromise over a coveted window seat, the narratives lean into humour and relatability rather than heavy messaging. The underlying idea remains consistent: small adjustments can meaningfully improve everyday experiences.
The rollout spans a full 360-degree media mix, including television, digital platforms, on-ground activations, point-of-sale visibility, Google Display Network placements and influencer-led content, signalling a push for both scale and contextual engagement.
As viewing habits continue to evolve in a hybrid ecosystem of free and paid content, Dish TV’s latest play reflects a broader industry shift where reliability and flexibility are increasingly positioned as differentiators, not just add-ons. In a market crowded with choice, the brand’s wager is simple: sometimes, it’s the smallest tweak that keeps audiences tuned in.
