DTH
Tata Sky offers top channels & services
MUMBAI: Tata Sky, one of India’s leading content distribution platform providing Pay TV and OTT services, has announced its offerings #MaxJingalala of 600 channels and services, which is the highest ever in the DTH sector.
Tata Sky today is a market leader in HD channels along with maximum number of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi and Assamese channels on offer.
As of December 2016, Tata Sky is offering an unprecedented 76 HD (highest in the industry) and 483 SD channels. The bouquet of 31 value added services, 15 SD and HD movie platforms specials, 9 exclusive +1 channel feeds, have been a clear differentiator and a key focus area for the brand.
“Consumers in India consider the number of channels provided by an entertainment platform to be amongst the second biggest reason to make their purchase decisions. Tata Sky is leaving no stone unturned to offer the maximum number of channels and services to its subscribers. Hence offering Sabse Zyada Manoranjan catering to every member of the family is key to the Tata Sky offering,” said Tata Sky chief communications officer Malay Dikshit.
Throughout 2016, Tata Sky has pioneered in the Pay TV sector with offerings ranging from enabling internet browser application on the Set Top Box, introducing Kids Showcase, Bengali and Punjabi movies MAMI films, m-Visa payment option to first of its kind interactive services such as Comedy, Devotion, Music + and Gurus. The year also saw popular campaigns from Tata Sky; such as Pyaar Jingalala (13 series ad films), Das Saal Jingalala and Family Jingalala (starring Amitabh Bachchan).
Some of the other first-ever in the sector that Tata Sky has under its hat are the launch of 4k Set Top Box in India, Karaoke service on STB, unique interactive services Classroom and Smart manager and the World’s first Daily Recharge option.
DTH
DD Free Dish locks in 8 Mpeg-2 slots; Star, Zee, Sony, Colors lead day 1
With higher prices and tighter rules, India’s top broadcasters secure coveted free-to-air positions.
NEW DELHI: The battle for India’s television screens has officially begun. On the opening day of Prasar Bharati’s 8th annual e-auction, heavyweights like Star, Zee, Sony, and Colors successfully secured eight coveted Mpeg-2 slots on DD Free Dish.
According to the media reports, this year’s auction is a significant departure from the past. The process assumes added significance this year as it is the first after Prasar Bharati amended its E-auction Methodology, tightening eligibility conditions and revising the reserve price structure for Mpeg-2 slots.
Despite the stricter rules and higher costs, the industry’s major networks showed no hesitation. Of the eight slots sold on Monday, six belonged to the premium Bucket A plus (Hindi general entertainment) and two to Bucket A (Hindi movies).
Industry experts suggest that this early rush is all about reach. DD Free Dish currently beams into roughly 45 million households, mostly in rural and semi-urban areas. For broadcasters, missing out on this platform means losing access to a massive chunk of India’s viewing public.
The new rules, rolled out in January 2026, have raised the stakes significantly. For Bucket A plus (Hindi general entertainment channels), the reserve price now starts at Rs 15 crore, while Bucket A (Hindi movies) begins at Rs 12 crore, marking a notable increase from previous years.
To prevent tactical low-ball bidding, the prices will only go up in subsequent rounds. For instance, the second round for Bucket A plus jumps to Rs 16 crore. By front-loading the auction, Prasar Bharati ensures that the most popular channels pay a premium for the best positions on the dial.
One of the most talked-about changes in this 94th e-auction is the operational clause. To stop speculative bidding, channels must now prove they are already active on at least one private DTH platform or a registered cable operator. In short: if your channel isn’t already on air somewhere, you aren’t invited to the party.
While it sounds like a corporate chess match, the outcome dictates what millions of people will watch for the next year (from April 2026 to March 2027). With the big networks securing their spots early, viewers can expect the usual mix of high-drama soaps and blockbuster films to remain the staples of free-to-air TV.
As the auction continues, the industry is watching to see if smaller players can stomach the rising costs or if the free dish universe will become an exclusive club for the media giants.
