DTH
Videocon strengthens VAS with d2h Nachle
MUMBAI: What Tata Sky did in December 2015 seems to be inspiring Videocon now. Videocon d2h has partnered with ‘Dance with Madhuri’ to launch an interactive dance service called ‘d2h Nachle’. The service is set to win the hearts of dance-lovers across the 18 million strong Videocon d2h subscriber base and is available for free preview till 22 May.
Madhuri Dixit, renowned for her legendary dance moves along with her Dance with Madhuri team of eminent gurus and choreographers, is all set to get you dancing on Videocon with its d2h subscribers.
This association will give dance enthusiasts a chance to synchronise their steps and learn the best in class, dance lessons from the comfort of their living rooms. With support from gurus like Pt. Birju Maharaj, Saroj Khan, Terence Lewis, Remo D’Souza and a host of renowned choreographers from the industry, D2h Nachle powered by Dance with Madhuri is sure to charm subscribers. There are now over 100+ classes, 100+ hours of content and 1800+ lessons. From Indian Classical dance forms like Kathak, Bharatnatyam, to Western forms like Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Salsa, Bachata and of course lots of Bollywood, d2h Nachle powered by Dance with Madhuri is sure to be a dancer’s delight!
Commenting on the launch,Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “D2h Nachle will strengthen our Value Added Services(VAS). Our consumers will find d2h Nachle compelling and engaging, especially the younger ones.”
Talking about the launch, Videocon d2h chief executive officer Anil Khera said, “Dance is among the most popular expressions of joy and celebration in every part of the country. d2h Nachle, powered by Dance with Madhuri, will bring to every home Madhuri & her expert team of renowned choreographers as their personal dance teachers.”
Dixit said, “The idea is to give the joy of learning any dance form of one’s choice to everyone and we strongly believe that our association with Videocon D2h will enable millions of people to learn various dance forms from the comfort of their homes. We have assembled a team of some of the most accomplished and renowned choreographers, who help us create lessons that let everyone learn how to dance in the most, authentic, structured and convenient way possible.”
DTH
Dish TV moves court seeking level playing field with DD Free Dish
DTH player flags unfair edge as free platform reshapes pay-TV market
MUMBAI: Dish TV has approached the Kerala High Court, seeking a level playing field with DD Free Dish, the free-to-air satellite platform run by Prasar Bharati.
At the heart of the dispute is what Dish TV calls a regulatory imbalance. The company has urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to bring DD Free Dish under the same rules as private direct-to-home operators, including mandatory encryption and compliance with the Digital Addressable System under existing laws such as the Indian Telegraph Act and the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.
Private DTH platforms are required to encrypt their signals, meaning viewers need authorised set-top boxes and paid subscriptions. In contrast, DD Free Dish remains unencrypted, allowing access through basic equipment without monthly fees, a difference Dish TV argues creates a structural advantage.
In its petition, Dish TV has described the current framework as arbitrary and discriminatory, alleging it undermines constitutional guarantees of equality and the right to trade. The company pointed out that while private operators shoulder the cost of encryption infrastructure, licensing fees and regulatory levies, DD Free Dish operates without similar obligations despite scaling up significantly.
Originally launched to distribute Doordarshan channels, DD Free Dish has steadily morphed into a quasi-commercial platform. It now carries around 120 private channels and generates substantial revenue through slot auctions, with earnings rising sharply over the years, according to the petition.
The case also throws a spotlight on shifting dynamics within India’s television market. Pay DTH operators have been grappling with a shrinking subscriber base, which has fallen from nearly 70 million in 2021 to about 51 million in 2025. At the same time, DD Free Dish has expanded its reach to roughly 53 million households, buoyed by viewers in price-sensitive regions opting for free access over paid subscriptions.
The migration has been further fuelled by broadcasters placing popular channels on the free platform, making it an increasingly attractive alternative for households looking to cut costs.
The Kerala High Court has admitted the petition and scheduled the next hearing for June 2, 2026. It also noted that a recent notice by Prasar Bharati inviting regional channels to uplink on DD Free Dish without carriage fees until March 31, 2026 will remain subject to the final outcome of the case.
Regulators have already acknowledged the gap. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, in its July 2024 recommendations, proposed a shift towards an addressable system for DD Free Dish, though these suggestions are not binding. The government is yet to take a final call, mindful of the platform’s reach among millions of households.
The petition follows repeated representations from private players and bodies such as the All India Digital Cable Federation, all flagging the same concern: a fast-growing free platform competing in a paid market without the same rulebook.
As the courtroom battle unfolds, the outcome could redraw the contours of India’s pay-TV ecosystem, deciding whether the free ride continues or the rules of the game finally converge.
