DTH
PBA, Casbaa & Pemra to host Intl. forum titled ‘A Digital Future for Pakistan’
MUMBAI: The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) are pleased to announce details of the first Electronic Media Exhibition and Conference (EMEC) in Karachi, Pakistan, on 15 – 16 May.
The international forum that has been themed ‘A Digital Future for Pakistan’ will be hosted by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and co-organised by the PBA and Casbaa.
According to an official announcement, the issues that the forum will attempt to address include the development of a world class pay-TV industry within Pakistan, international best practices for content development and the impact of digital technologies such as IPTV on new business models. The speakers for the event will be drawn from media companies from across the world.
“This is a uniquely exciting time for broadcasting in Pakistan,” said Pemra chairman Iftikhar Rashid. “With the introduction of advanced cable systems, Direct-to-Home satellite services and IPTV systems, Pakistan is on the cusp of great change. During our conference Pemra will welcome the participation of specialists in international best practices and the suppliers of the very best of the new technologies.”
“Pakistan is experiencing unprecedented growth in broadcast services,” said PBA chairman and Pakistan broadcaster GEO TV chairman Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. “The PBA, working with Casbaa, will provide a rare opportunity to examine international business models and technologies that can be brought to Pakistan.”
“As a regional industry body devoted to the advancement of multi-channel television, Casbaa is delighted to partner with the PBA and with Pemra to forge new relationships,” said Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez.
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.
