DTH
Shemaroo Entertainment, Videocon d2h launch religious channel
MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment has joined hands with Videocon d2h to launch a 24 hr ad free devotional channel “d2h Darshan” according to a press release filed at the bourses by Shemaroo. The channel plans to offer a wide variety of religeous and religion related content such as temple tourism, jaaps, mantras, kathas, popular bhajans, holy Books etc. d2h Darshan can be subscribed at Rs. 30 per month from 1st Dec 2015 and is available for Videocon d2h consumers on channel number 481..
According to the release, d2h Darshan will also attempt to explain the meaning and significance of important elements extracted from the Vedas and other scriptures. The videos programmed on each day of the week will be as per the special significance of that day devoted to a deity. For example Monday is devoted to Shiva, Tuesday for Ganesha, and so on. The channel also plans to offer customized content around important festivals and various events based on the religious calendar. Shemaroo will draw from its bank of more than 2000 hours of devotional content to specially create this unique service.
Press release quotes
Shemaroo Entertainment Director Hiren Gada said, “Inspite of religion being the way of life in India, there is not enough variety of devotional content available on the television platforms. With the launch of a premium service like d2h Darshan on Videocon d2h, consumers will have access to an array of content. We plan to feature temple documentaries which are almost like a ‘virtual darshan tour’ of some of the most popular shrines across the country.”
Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We believe in enriching lives of our valued consumers by providing them varied choice for their entertainment. d2h Darshan is a powerful service which is targeted to a whole segment of viewers who sought these channels as part of their faith and a desire to lead a spiritual lifestyle.”
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.
