DTH
Videocon d2h launches Sun HD channels
MUMBAI: Videocon d2h is growing leaps and bounds in strengthening its position in the High Definition (HD) space. The direct to home (DTH) operator has added four Sun HD channels on its platform, thus taking the total number of HD channels and services to 27. These channels are: Sun TV HD, KTV HD, Sun Music HD and Gemini HD.
The addition, according to the DTH player, is an extension of its mantra ‘Delighting the Customer Always.’ The four HD channels will be available in the South Platinum HD pack at Rs 540.45. The DTH player through a release, informed that the Sun TV HD will be available on channel no 802, KTV HD on channel no 797, Sun Music HD on channel no 798 and Gemini TV HD on channel no 872.
“The presence of the four new south HD channels on our platform will definitely give us an edge over other DTH players in the highly competitive south market. Viewing preferences are very important for us and we ensure every effort to provide more content for customers suiting their needs. We look forward to consolidating our leadership position in high definition category and delighting consumers,” said Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera.
The announcement of the four new HD channels has come after the DTH player had recently announced the addition of another 20 channels on its platform in the past 2-3 weeks. These channels include GSTV, India News, News X, Oscar Movies, Reporter TV, Zee Anmol, Big RTL Thrill, Gemini Life, Sun Life, Surya Music, T News, Chintu TV, Kushi TV, etc.
“Our aim of continuously raising the bar in the High Definition category has got a further boost. We always strive to provide the best to our consumers and in this endeavor we have been continuously adding new channels and services. With growing demand for the high definition channels from subscribers and especially addition of Tamil and Telugu HD channels, we are definitely on the right track,” informed Videocon group director Saurabh Dhoot.
“The ‘South base pack’ and the ‘South Silver pack’ has been made extremely strong by adding 55 channels which includes almost all south language channels. The operator with this has 290 channels and services at Rs 175.28 per month,” the release said.
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.
