DTH
Videocon d2h launches Interactive TV games on HD Smart, partners Visiware’s Playin’TV
MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, the fastest growing DTH service provider in India has entered into a partnership with Visiware International , the world leader in games for interactive television for its HD Smart Connect. Visiware International ’s flagship international gaming channel Playin’TV, will enrich Videocon d2h’s subscribers with gamification features, which include major entertainment licenses and innovative features.
With this collaboration Videocon d2h’s subscribers will have an easy access to over 350 games on their Smart HD Connect. Playin’TV, offers games for the whole family from sports, to board & cards, brain teasers, casino and much more. Players can also enjoy experience-enhancing interactive TV gaming features such as real-time connected leaderboards, HD graphics etc.
HD SMART Set top Box (Connected Set top box) converts any existing TV into a Smart TV besides showing 650 Channels & services in High Definition and Standard Definition. The DTH service allows one to watch their favorite channels in SD and HD, the Connected set top box allows one to browse content from applications residing on STB. These Applications will enhance the pleasure of accessing content on a bigger screen thus making it a family event rather than solo watching on a smaller screen. HD Smart Set Top Box will work as a tool for personalization, engagement and new customer experiences and with internet connectivity, one can convert one’s TV into a smart TV using it.
Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are pleased to partner with Visiware International, a world class player in Interactive games on TV. Our HD Smart Connect platform is now rapidly scaling up with more and more entertainment applications, reaffirming our commitment to provide holistic entertainment for the entire family.”
Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “In every home, young children are the most important members of the family. With Visiware International on our HD Smart Connect Platform, they can enjoy the latest interactive games on television. This is the first time truly interactive games would be available in India on television screens through the set top box.”
Visiware International COO Frederic Fellague said, “Videocon d2h is launching our globally successful premier HTML5 games in India. This medium presents new opportunities in terms of interactivity, allowing multi-screen game plays and multi-player interactions.”
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.
