DTH
MEASAT 3b active; Sun Direct awaits regulatory clearances
MUMBAI: The MEASAT-3b satellite, which is co-located at 91.5 degree, has now finally gained the status of being active. However, Sun Group’s direct to home (DTH) arm Sun Direct is still in the process of getting regulatory clearances. The DTH operator will soon be able to avail the benefits that the satellite will offer.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Sun Direct CEO Mahesh Kumar says, “We are still in the process of getting all the regulatory clearances.”
In may be recalled that in May last year, Sun Direct was looking at adding nine more transponders from its current four, to increase its High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) channel capacity. However, the delay in the launch of MEASAT-3b satellite that was to enable Sun Direct help add the additional transponders played spoilt sport. The satellite which was set for launch on 6 June 2014 (7 June Kuala Lumpur time), was postponed after the manufacturer of the MEASAT-3b co-passenger requested time for repairs to their satellite.
In September 2014, Ariane 5 ECA successfully launched two communications satellites Optus 10 and MEASAT 3b. MEASAT 3b, which is equipped with 48 high-power Ku-band transponders would enable DTH services not just in India but also Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. It would be serving more than 18 million households, according to Measat.
Kumar had previously stated that with the extra capacity, the operator’s current HD offering would go up to 30 and expected the number of SD channels to go up to 350.
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.
