DTH
Scientific-Atlanta in major push in Belgium, Japan
Scientific-Atlanta, a leading supplier of digital content distribution systems, has entered into a distribution agreement with Mampaey, to provide its cable modems and transmission network products and systems to Belgium’s cable operators.
Some products that Mampaey will distribute include RF amplifier products, Prisma optoelectronics products and WebSTAR cable modems for high-speed Internet access.
Speaking on this Paul Mampaey, managing director of Mampaey said: “This agreement allows us to expand our line of inventory to meet increasing customer demands for high-speed, two-way interactive network equipment. “Scientific Atlanta is counting on Mampaey’s experience in the Belgium cable industry to take the support of product delivery to the next level.
Scientific Atlanta is also looking to consolidate its presence in Japan. Through its local distributor Itochu, the company is currently selling to over 40 addressable systems in Japan. The company is also working closely with the Japan Cable Labs (JCL). Now it has signed a deal with Japanese cable operator Tomen Mediacom which works under the brand name Mediatti. The operator will buy Scientific-Atlanta’s set-tops, digital headend, and interactive applications.
Mediatti is launching Japan’s first interactive TV cable system. Scientific-Atlanta’s job is to enable consumers in Japan to access a wide range of interactive applications using their own national language and character set, including video on demand (VOD), email, Web browsing, electronic program guide. Mediatti believes that the deal gives it a six to 12 month advantage in delivering true interactive applications.
Under the multi-year agreement, Scientific-Atlanta will provide its complete end-to-end interactive TV system solution, including its cable headend, Explorer digital set-tops, interactive applications, and the expertise and support provided by the company’s professional services organization, SciCare Broadband Services
Scientific-Atlanta’s efforts in Japan will result in a platform and applications capable of serving other countries within the Asia-Pacific region. The platform will feature a double byte operating system, which enables input and display of Asian character sets.
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.
