ITV

Category: DTH

  • DD Free Dish concludes Mpeg 2 e-Auction, securing 60 television channels for 2025-26

    DD Free Dish concludes Mpeg 2 e-Auction, securing 60 television channels for 2025-26

    MUMBAI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati  has successfully concluded its annual DD Free Dish MPEG-2 slot e-auction, allocating spaces to 60 television channels for the period of 1 April 2025, to 31 March 2026. Major broadcasters securing slots include: Sony, JioStar,  Zee, Sun TV. Some of the prominent channels on FreeDish include  names such as Colors Rishtey, Sony Pal, and several leading news channels including Aaj Tak, ABP News, and Republic TV Bharat.

    The auction process, initiated on 9 January, introduced a structured categoriastion system comprising six distinct buckets, each tailored to specific channel genres and languages. The pricing strategy implemented a two-round system, with initial reserve prices ranging from Rs 3 crore for regional channels to Rs 15 crore for Hindi/Urdu general entertainment channels. The second round saw these figures increase incrementally, with the highest bracket reaching Rs 16 crore.

    To ensure quality content delivery, Prasar Bharati has instituted a new 75 per cent alignment rule, mandating that three-quarters of a channel’s content must align with its declared genre and language. The broadcaster maintained its standard eligibility criteria, requiring participating channels to possess valid ministry of information and broadcasting permits for Indian distribution.
    LIST

    The auction’s participation structure included a Rs 1.50 crore fee for MPEG-2 slots, while MPEG-4 slots commanded Rs 3 lakhs. Notably, the framework extended participation rights to international public broadcasters operating under relevant guidelines.

    This auction follows a successful 2024 edition which generated Rs 1,156 crore through the sale of 64 slots, indicating the platform’s sustained commercial viability in India’s broadcasting landscape. The slight reduction in allocated slots from 64 to 60 suggests a possible strategic recalibration of the platform’s capacity utilisation.
    The successful conclusion of this auction reinforces DD Free Dish’s position as a significant distribution platform in India’s television market, particularly for reaching audiences in regions where paid television penetration remains limited.

  • DishTV looks forward to better Q4 2025

    DishTV looks forward to better Q4 2025

    MUMBAI: The good news for DTH major Dish TV India is that it maintained its EBITDA margin at 32.9 per cent in Q3FY25.  This despite, the drop in the topline, in EBITDA, subscription revenues, number of subscribers, and an increase in losses. 

    The other piece of good news is that the company is optimistic of things turning around the coming quarter thanks to finance minister lifting the taxable income levels for the general Indian public. .

    Dish TV India CEO & executive director Manoj Dobhal said that Dish TV is venturing into B2B e-commerce through its newly incorporated subsidiary, Dish Bharat Ventures Pvt  Ltd, established in October 2024.

    “As an organisation, Dish TV India has come a long way and has, in this eventful journey, positively touched the lives of millions of stakeholders be it our ever valued past or present subscribers, shareholders, trade partners, suppliers or employees. We are indebted to all of them and would like to assure all our stakeholders that we would continue to do our best to make the business scale new heights all over again,” he said.” The company remains committed to a turnaround and believes that the convergence of digital content with linear television will help television maintain its mass appeal as it continues to provide value-for-money offerings to its subscribers.”

    Preparing a content pipeline that adds a flavor of uniqueness and differentiates the OTT aggregation app of Dish TV India from similar products, the company conceived and launched the ‘Watcho Storytellers Conclave’ in Kolkata during the quarter. The trademark event aimed to foster creativity and innovation in content creation within the regional entertainment space while providing a platform for emerging storytellers to showcase their talent. More than three hundred established as well as budding content related professionals participated in the daylong event sharing their vision about the changing content ecosystem. More such ‘Watcho Storytellers Conclave’ are in the pipeline in the coming quarters and should give Dish TV India access to a unique and creative talent pool of content.

    Doubling down on its content innovation strategy and to expand monetization opportunities, Dish TV India during the third quarter of the current fiscal partnered with C21 Media to launch Content India 2025. The collaboration is aimed at positioning India as a global leader in content creation.

    The upcoming Content India 2025 would bring together industry leaders to discuss trends, challenges and opportunities in the media landscape helping support the growth of Indian content and its distribution across international platforms.

    To combat pressure from online streaming platforms, Dish TV has also enhanced its offering by bundling complimentary access to six over-the-top (OTT) apps with DTH subscriptions. The company’s OTT aggregation app ‘Watcho’ has crossed 7.6 million paid subscriptions, with its premium plan ‘Watcho Max’ now featuring 18 popular OTT apps.

    On the financial front, Dish reported a net loss of Rs 465 million for the quarter ended 31 December 2024, compared to a loss of Rs 28 million in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. The direct-to-home operator’s operating revenues declined by 20.7 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3,730 million.

    Subscription revenues saw a sharp decline of 33.5 per cent to Rs 2,472 million, while EBITDA fell by 31.9 per cent to Rs 1,227 million compared to the same quarter last year. 

    The company attributed the continued revenue pressure to increasing online content consumption and weak consumer discretionary spending, with cost-conscious viewers shifting towards the free DTH platform.

  • Broadcasters pay premium in DD Free Dish auction, total revenue hits Rs 208 crore

    Broadcasters pay premium in DD Free Dish auction, total revenue hits Rs 208 crore

    MUMBAI: Leading broadcasters have secured slots in Prasar Bharati’s 85th e-auction for DD Free Dish, with the public broadcaster earning Rs 208.10 crore from eleven slots in the first two days of bidding.

    In the premium Bucket A+ category for Hindi general entertainment channels, Zee Anmol led the bidding at Rs 18.60 crore, followed by Star Utsav at Rs 18.25 crore and Big Magic at Rs 17.25 crore. Sony PAL, Colors Rishtey, and Sun Neo secured their slots at Rs 18.55 crore, Rs 18.35 crore, and Rs 18.50 crore respectively.

    The movie channel category (Bucket A) saw Star Utsav Movies securing a slot for Rs 16.95 crore, whilst Colors Cineplex Superhits, Sony Wah, and Zee Anmol Cinema followed with bids of Rs 16.50 crore, Rs 16.60 crore, and Rs 16.55 crore respectively.

    In the news category (Bucket C), NDTV India, now owned by the Adani Group, secured the first slot for Rs 14.35 crore, followed by Republic Bharat at Rs 14.20 crore. These rates marked a significant drop from last year when news channels paid between Rs 16.35 crore and Rs 18.95 crore.

    Notably, several channels including Zee Anmol, Star Utsav, Sony PAL, and Colors Rishtey returned to the platform after a three-year hiatus. The secured slots will be valid from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

    The robust bidding came despite a recent TRAI directive requiring pay-TV channels on DD Free Dish to become free-to-air across all platforms, demonstrating broadcasters’ continued interest in the platform’s extensive rural reach.

    (Some of these numbers have been accessed from The Economic Times)

  • What makes Harit Nagpal’s Adapt tome great to look at, not just read

    What makes Harit Nagpal’s Adapt tome great to look at, not just read

    MUMBAI: Just got my hands on Tata Play CEO Harit Nagpal’s tome Adapt – to Thrive, not just survive. I must say better late than never. It appears to be an amazing read. But a lot has been written about what we as managers can learn from his stories about challenges and how to overcome them.

    I don’t know if a lot has been written about how the book looks, that is, its striking art work and cover design. At least, I could not locate it despite a lot of deep google searches. 

    The cover design is by Westland (the publisher of the book) design head Saurabh Garge who has been behind some of the gee-whiz looks of books that it brings out. 

    To begin with, the visual metaphor Saurabh has used aligns seamlessly with the book’s exploration of how businesses must evolve to thrive in dynamic environments.

    A large part of the cover is dominated by a curled tail of a chameleon, a reptile renowned for its adaptative capabilities. The animal’s tail has a myriad of colours showing its ability to change quickly (probably in micro-seconds) depending on its environment and the threat to its survival and thriving. The design employs a clean and minimalist aesthetic, ensuring that the chameleon remains the focal point, thereby reinforcing the book’s message of strategic adaptation.

    Similarly, corporations too have to be agile and quick to adapt to the crazily-spinning almost-out-of-control and ever-changing dynamic environment. 
    Harit Nagpal

    Also, the color scheme of the book title from cool colour like the blue green to the warmer yellows and oranges to the hot red clearly elucidates the cycle that organisations need to go through from start up to maturity wherein sales become red hot. And they also become noticeable. The same colour gradient has been followed at the back of the book and even in the spine with the title now going clean white. 

    Overall, the cover design is both visually appealing and thematically resonant, effectively conveying the book’s focus on the importance of adaptability in achieving business success.

    (Adapt – To Thrive, Not just Survive by Harit Nagpal, pp 213, publisher Westland  Books, price Rs 599. To buy the book click here)

  • FAST frenzy: Viewers binge more, advertisers cash in, everyone wins!

    FAST frenzy: Viewers binge more, advertisers cash in, everyone wins!

    MUMBAI: Not too long ago, TV lovers had two choices—pay up for endless subscriptions or rely on old-school cable. But just when you thought you were stuck juggling streaming bills like a circus act, FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) swooped in like a digital superhero. Forget flipping channels—now, viewers get premium content for free, advertisers get their dream audience, and content providers rake in the ad dollars. It’s a win-win-win, and Amagi’s latest Global FAST Report 14 Edition proves it.

    The report unveils staggering double-digit growth in both hours of viewing (HOV) and ad impressions, making it clear that FAST isn’t some fleeting trend—it’s an advertising revolution. Gone are the days when ads interrupted your binge session; now, they power the very shows you love.

    Amagi crunched the numbers from 3,300+ channels streaming via its SSAI (Server-Side Ad Insertion) platform, Amagi Thunderstorm. The results? A jaw-dropping 95 per cent YoY surge in global HOV and a 65 per cent jump in ad impressions—because when it comes to FAST, the stream never stops, and neither do the ad dollars. If streaming had a crystal ball, it would be flashing ‘bright future ahead!’

    Key takeaways:

    . U.S. and Canada keep the FAST train running at full throttle, contributing the lion’s share of global ad impressions and HOV. Who needs cable when free streaming is this good?

    .  APAC is the new streaming superstar, boasting a blockbuster 132 per cent YoY increase in HOV and a 130 per cent spike in ad impressions. If FAST were a stock, you’d want to buy in now.

    . LATAM and EMEA aren’t sitting on the sidelines, with entertainment, news, and documentaries leading the charge. Because who doesn’t love free content that informs and entertains?

    .  Entertainment remains the undisputed champion of FAST, making up 40–45 per cent of global HOV. Drama, reality TV, and movies—FAST has it all, without the price tag.

    .  New FAST channels are shaking up the game, with 25 per cent of global HOV and ad impressions coming from channels launched after December 2023. The future of TV is FAST, and it’s only getting started.

    The streaming wars may be ongoing, but FAST has found its niche. Unlike SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand), which relies on subscription models, FAST offers premium content free-of-cost, funded entirely by ads. Viewers have spoken, and their preference for free, high-quality content has set the stage for an advertising revolution.

    Amagi’s consumer survey of 500+ U.S. households revealed key trends:

    . 75 per cent of respondents watch free, ad-supported streaming content.

    . 66 per cent reported watching FAST channels multiple times per week.

    . 67 per cent noticed and engaged with overlay ads, proving the model’s efficacy for advertisers.

    FAST isn’t just standing alone—it’s merging with traditional Pay TV and SVOD models. Pay TV services now offer FAST channels, SVOD giants like Warner Bros. Discovery are experimenting with ad-supported tiers, and FAST services are enhancing their content portfolios with premium offerings.

    With global advertisers shifting their focus from Pay TV to CTV (Connected TV) and FAST, content providers are being forced to rethink their distribution strategies. Industry leaders like Dazn are already unifying conventional broadcasting with FAST to create a seamless viewing experience.

    As more regions embrace FAST, expect to see a sharper focus on localised content, better ad targeting, and stronger partnerships between streaming giants and advertisers. The numbers don’t lie—a 95 per cent rise in viewing hours and a 65 per cent spike in ad impressions make one thing clear: FAST isn’t slowing down—it’s just getting warmed up.

    So, whether you’re an advertiser chasing eyeballs, a content creator searching for the next big platform, or just someone who loves free TV with a side of perfectly timed ads, FAST is your new best friend. 

  • Tata Sons seeks CCI green signal for additional 10 per cent stake in Tata Play

    Tata Sons seeks CCI green signal for additional 10 per cent stake in Tata Play

    MUMBAI: Tata Sons, the promoter of The Tata group, is seeking to own a larger slice of its distribution platform operator Tata Play. It has sought approval from india’s fair trade regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), to acquire an additional 10 per cent  stake in Tata Play. The stake will be purchased from Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd, an affiliate of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, Temasek Holdings.

    Currently holding a 60 per cent stake in Tata Play, Tata Sons’ acquisition will increase its ownership to 70 per cent. Tata Sons is an investment holding company registered as a core investment company with the Reserve Bank of India, classified as a systemically important non-deposit taking core investment company.

    Tata Play, formerly known as Tata Sky, is a leading content distribution platform in India, offering pay TV  and direct-to-home (DTH) services. it also operates Tata Play Binge, an over-the-top (OTT) platform that aggregates popular streaming apps under a single subscription model.

    The proposed transaction has been notified to the CCI under sections 6(2) and 5(a) of the Competition Act, 2002. these provisions mandate regulatory approval for acquisitions exceeding certain thresholds.

    Both Tata Play and Tata Sons have asserted that the transaction will not adversely affect competition in any relevant market. They have appealed to the  CCI to  examine the deal in the context of India’s wired broadband internet services and the complementary linkages between Tata Sons’ internet services and Tata Play’s online platforms.

    Meanwhile, the buzz of a transaction between Airtel and Tata Play taking place seems to have died down. Apparently, valuations are an issue and the further loss of subscribers by the  pay TV ecosystem has put a dampener in any deal going forward, reveal sources close to the conversation. Also, the earlier transaction between the Essel group Dish TV and Videocond2h didn’t yield any clear identifiable long term benefits for the former as it struggles to sustain itself in a sector that is being gnawed away at by DD’s free DTH service FreeDish, and low cost streaming services. 

    And going by the way that Tata Sons has applied to the CCI is it possible that the group has decided to retain its broadband part of Tata Play while letting go off of the video services portion the Distribution platform operator provides?If that is the case, then who is the buyer?  Or is it that the group still sees potential in both the video and internet delivery components of Tata Play and has decided to continue to invest in both? The Tata group is not talking;  neither is Tata Play.

    Guess, we will have to keep watching this space. 

  • Indian DTH subscriber base drops further to 59.9 million in June-Sept ’24 quarter

    Indian DTH subscriber base drops further to 59.9 million in June-Sept ’24 quarter

    MUMBAI: Almost every leading TV executive – whether Uday Shankar or Punit Goenka or Gaurav Banerjee – has spoken about his or her belief that television  in India has legs. No doubt they have to speak optimistically. Linear television revenues are what are currently funding their hard-pressed-for-earnings streaming businesses.

    That television is under further duress has become even clearer from the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) quarterly report of telecom performence indicators for the period Jul y 2024 to September 2024.

    The continued drop in DTH  active subscriptions is alarming: the figure for end September 2024 is 59.9 million. The comparative figure for June 2024 was 62.17 million subscribers. In September 2023, there were 64.18 million active subs

    With four DTH operators in operation,  it’s not as if they are doing nothing to retain customers. They have been giving customers the freedom to create their own packs, they have slashed prices for their set top boxes, they have been offering easier payment terms and HD services, they have been doling out value-added services for cheap, and they have started OTT aggregator services,  broadband is being offered by them  at reasonable prices.

    But lo and behold, nada, nothing seems to be halting the slide of consumers dumping their satellite TV dishes.

    A few thoughts to ponder  for DTH operators:  

    When will the law of diminishing returns come into play as subscribers drop off? 

    At what level will the business become unviable? 40 million subs, 30 million, to service the well-spread-out India? 

    When will there be a major shakeup? 

    And what will lead to one or two players falling off the treadmill?

    Already, reports keep popping up that talks are continuing between Tata Play and Airtel for the latter to acquire the former. When and if it does happen, we’ll be down to three DTH operators.

    Also, solutions need to be evolved to stop the slide –   complaining about the gold rush towards DD Free Dish is not the best answer.

    2025 is a new year.

    A chance to relook at the business.

    A chance to see if Tata Play’s white-label-service model can be replicated and monetised by licensing it to other  players  in less developed markets to keep revenues coming in.

    A chance to experiment on how customers can be retained..

    Is customer service of the platinum class a good bait?  

    This has been talked about ad nauseum for quite some time; service can be the big differentiator.

    Convenience  be brought in and, if possible, local programming which can be picked up from the more advanced cable TV MSOs and retransmitted.

    There will come a time when subscribing to a nice plateful of streamers will become too expensive. Already some complaints are being voiced about the OTT bundles in the US. The commonly heard plaint is that they are  as – if not more – expensive than the pay TV bundles

    In India, we don’t have to wait for that to happen – Indian pay TV is cheap – very cheap. More than 400 linear channels are available in India for as low as Rs 300-350  on DTH and cable TV. An OTT aggregator will have to struggle to offer as much content at that price.

    The reality is both free TV and OTTs are here to stay. The question is: is India’s pay TV?

    (Picture of Dishes atop house courtesy Dish TV India) 

  • Dish TV India-C21Media launch Content India 2025 to elevate Indian content

    Dish TV India-C21Media launch Content India 2025 to elevate Indian content

    MUMBAI: In the chaos of India’s vibrant yet often disorganised digital landscape lies a reservoir of untapped potential—a creative powerhouse waiting to command global attention. With content exploding across platforms and talent overflowing, the challenge has been bridging local brilliance with international collaborations. Now, a groundbreaking initiative promises to declutter this overwhelming abundance and spotlight India’s creative strength on the world map.

    Content India 2025—a landmark partnership between Dish TV India and UK-based C21Media. Designed to harness India’s innovation and storytelling capabilities, this initiative aims to position the country as a global content hub, showcasing its prowess in production, post-production, and creative collaboration.

    At a time when India’s digital content creation market is projected to surge from $1,538.8 million in 2023 to $4,403.5 million by 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research, this platform arrives as a much-needed catalyst to organise, streamline, and celebrate India’s boundless entertainment talent.

    By fostering global partnerships and promoting fresh narratives, Content India 2025 stands poised to redefine India’s creative footprint—transforming it into the content epicenter it deserves to be.

    Scheduled for 1-3 April 2025, Content India will blend a marketplace, conferences, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for creators, producers, distributors, platforms, and channels to connect. The summit will set the stage for a larger Content India 2026 event, modelled on the success of C21Media’s Content London and Content Americas.

    Dish TV India, CEO & executive director, Manoj Dobhal highlighted the initiative’s significance, “The Indian entertainment industry is at a critical juncture, with its content resonating like never before across international audiences. Content India 2025 is our effort to empower Indian creators and bring global opportunities closer to home. By fostering innovation and collaboration, we aim to position India as a global content powerhouse and pave the way for sustainable growth in the industry.”

    With a robust ecosystem comprising 582+ channels, 21 OTT platforms, and advanced technological capabilities, Dish TV India is well-placed to drive this initiative. Content India 2025 will provide a comprehensive platform to expand markets, equip Indian creators to meet global demand, and propel Indian entertainment to the forefront of the international content landscape.

    C21Media editor-in-chief & MD, David Jenkinson emphasised the partnership’s value, “India’s entertainment industry holds immense potential to lead the global content landscape with its creativity and innovation. Partnering with Dish TV India for Content India allows us to bring together the best minds in the industry, fostering collaborations that drive meaningful growth and unlock new opportunities for content creators on an international scale.”

    This collaboration underscores Dish TV India’s commitment to enabling sustainable growth and innovation, ensuring Indian content achieves global recognition.

  • Tata Play launches Deiveegam, a new collection of Tamil devotional content

    Tata Play launches Deiveegam, a new collection of Tamil devotional content

    MUMBAI: This is for the spiritually-inclined or those seeking peace of mind which is a large part of India’s population of 1.4 billion.  

    Whether it’s the captivating mythological narratives, the moving devotional music, or the tranquil darshans from Tamil Nadu’s sacred temples,  these are available on Tata Play Deiveegam which is a new collection of devotional content that the pay TV operator launched recently. With the introduction of this dedicated platform, Tata Play encourages viewers to delve into Tamil Nadu’s rich spiritual legacy like never before. This meticulously curated service provides an authentic experience of Tamil spirituality, enabling audiences to fully engage with enduring traditions of devotion and the deep beauty they encompass.

    The aim of Tata Play Deiveegam is to broaden the reach of Tamil Nadu’s spiritual heritage. This platform showcases devotion and spirituality while maintaining the authenticity of its linguistic and cultural roots.

    Whether you’re looking to enhance your faith, reconnect with ancient customs, or appreciate the moving essence of Tamil spirituality, this Tata Play Special offers a sacred space for exploration and engagement with these profound expressions of devotion. 

    The lineup features mythological shows such as Original Ramayan, Adhi Parasakthi, Uttar Ramayan, and Shri Krishna, along with devotional music, daily astrology, and spiritual discourses led by prominent spiritual figures like Sadhguru, Maraban Maindham Muttiah, Dr. Suresh T, Tirupur Krishnan, and others. 

    Additionally, the service boasts a comprehensive library of documentaries focusing on Tamil Nadu’s temples and deities, daily live temple darshans, and a variety of Tamil calendar events and pan-India live broadcasts, including Tiruvanamalai Karthigai Deepam, Srirangam Pagal Pathu Ra Pathu, and Mahashivratri Live. Viewers can enjoy a delightful mix of morning and evening aartis, followed by the Daily Astro Show hosted by Subash Balakrishnan.

    This 24/7 ad-free service is being powered by Shemaroo Entertainment and will be complimentary for the first five days following subscription, after which a nominal fee of Rs 2 per day will apply.

  • Malaysian media baron Ananda Krishnan passes on

    Malaysian media baron Ananda Krishnan passes on

    MUMBAI: Another media baron passes into the great beyond. Malayasian billionaire Ananda Krishnan who set up the successful pay TV platform Astro in Malaysia  and established satellite operator Measat passed away on 28 November at  the age of 86.  

    Ananda was known to be close to Mahathir Mohamad who was Malaysia’s prime minister from 1981 to 2003 and 2018 to 2020. He persuaded him to build the famed Petronas twin towers in Kuala Lumpur.

    Ananda was the founder and chairman of Usaha Tegas, as well as the founder of Yu Cai Foundation. He also helped transform telecom firm Maxis into one of the largest operators in the country. He helped finance Bob Geldof’s  Live Aid concert in the eighties. He  was ranked Malaysia’s sixth-richest person and 671 wealthiest person globally in 2024, with an estimated net worth of $5.1 billion, according to  Forbes.  

    In India, Ananda unsuccessfully  invested an estimated $7 billion to set up telco Aircel which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2018.

    Ananda had three children, including his only son, Ven Ajahn Siripanyo who is a Buddhist monk.

    May he Rest in Peace!

    Astro Malaysia made the following post on its website:

    Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Astro) mourns the loss of our shareholder, Ananda Krishnan Tatparanandam, on 28 November 2024, whose unparalleled contributions shaped the landscape of Malaysia’s media, telecommunications, and entertainment industries.

    Group Chief Executive Officer Euan Daryl Smith expressed profound sorrow on behalf of Astro, stating: “Mr Ananda Krishnan’s vision went beyond creating a company; he created a purpose. Through Astro, he touched lives—by providing jobs, nurturing talent, and fostering a shared sense of joy through the power of entertainment. His enduring commitment to excellence and humanity will continue to inspire us as we carry forward his legacy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this time of loss.”

    We join the nation in honoring a remarkable individual whose contributions will forever be etched in Malaysia’s history. Our deepest condolences go out to the family during this difficult time.

    We humbly request that the family’s privacy be respected as they mourn their loss.”

     

    (Pix courtesy Scott Jordan)