DTH
Videocon d2h expands HD offering to 37 channels
MUMBAI: Videocon d2h has expanded its high-definition (HD) offering to 37 channels by adding Star Movies Select HD and Fox Life HD on channel number 258 and 468 respectively.
The new channel launches on its platform continue to validate Videocon d2h’s commitment to providing Indian audiences with high-quality content across an array of genres and formats.
Star Movies Select HD will premiere two new films not previously released in India each month, in addition to airing a new movie everyday. Additionally, Fox Life HD features a slate of scripted and non-scripted content that is inspired by real life as well as appealing and appropriate for the entire family. Fox Life HD will be having multiple audio feeds in Hindi, Tamil and Bengali besides English.
Videocon d2h plans to continue to add more HD channels shortly, with an aim to have as many as 50 HD channels.
“We have been relentless in our pursuit to gratify our customers’ with an exceptional viewing experience. Videocon d2h’s substantial offer of wide range of HD channels is a testimony to that endeavour. We remain committed to expanding Videocon d2h’s channel offerings and content as a means to providing a superior viewing experience to our customers, augmented by innovative technology and the best customer service. It’s a simple plan that we believe will result in a major upgrade for India’s TV viewing public,” said Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot.
Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “Videocon d2h has been extremely aggressive and innovative when it comes to technology upgrades, new content offerings and launching new services all in an effort to keep ahead of current industry trends. Fox Life HD with multiple audio feeds and Star Movies Select HD are two premium HD channels that bring even more quality content to our subscribers resulting in a superior viewing experience. Keeping both our promise to provide the best channels and content across all genres and our commitment to customer satisfaction has built a strong level of trust between our customers and Videocon d2h, and we value that relationship.”
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.
