DTH
Videocon d2h and MStar Semiconductor tie up for MPEG-4 HD STBs
MUMBAI: Videocon d2h has decided to go one step further to strengthen its technology by tying up with Taiwan based MStar Semiconductor for its new HD MPEG-4 DVB-2 set top boxes (STB) that will be provided to the Indian market.
The new STB with MStar’s technology provides features such as PVR that allows users to watch content of their interest at their own time. It also allows for watching TV channels with functions such as title/time based recording, rewind and forward, auto serial recording, pause live TV and mark-skip-watch.
“Having a 10 million subscriber base in a very short time in India is a strong testimony of Videocon d2h’s success. It is our honor and pleasure to be the partner with Videocon d2h. Leveraging our cutting-edge set-top box platform, we will continue to support Videocon d2h to further build upon their success,” says MStar Semiconductor chairman Wayne Liang.
Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said “We have partnered with MStar, global leader in integrated chips. The ease of user experience, best in class integration and performance provide a significant edge for our cutting edge high definition set-top box. We are hopeful that MStar technology will provide better experience to our consumers as we are looking at consolidating our leadership position.”
Currently Videocon d2h is offering its SD STBs at Rs 1990 the HD ones cost Rs 2000. In an earlier interview Khera had told indiantelevision.com that the DTH operators’ current number of HD subscribers is 8 per cent of the total that has the potential to rise to 20 per cent in the coming few years.
In 2014, the DTH platform’s parent company Videocon group is planning to set up a one million STB plant that will provide STBs for people in phases III and IV of digitisation.
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.
