ITV

Tag: DD Freedish

  • Central government drives Bind scheme with Rs 2,539 crore push

    Central government drives Bind scheme with Rs 2,539 crore push

    NEW DELHI: India’s public broadcasters are in the middle of their most ambitious revamp in decades. The government told Parliament this week that its Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (Bind) scheme — approved for 2021–26 with an outlay of Rs 2,539.61 crore — is advancing on schedule, with close to Rs 981 crore already spent.

    The five-year programme is designed to modernise Doordarshan and Akashvani (All India Radio) with digital transmission, high-definition studios, new FM towers and a wider footprint in border, tribal and left-wing extremism–affected regions. The ministry said no major funds have lapsed, though procurement delays occasionally slowed spending, now being addressed through tighter monitoring.

    One of Bind’s biggest successes is the expansion of DD Free Dish, India’s only free-to-air DTH service. Channel count has surged from 104 in 2019 to 510 today, including 92 private broadcasters, 50 Doordarshan services and 320 educational channels. Popular Akashvani stations such as FM Gold, Rainbow and Vividh Bharati are also available on the platform, making free access to information and entertainment more widely available.

    Akashvani’s terrestrial coverage now spans 90 per cent of India’s geography and 98 per cent of its population. Alongside its traditional FM network, more than 260 AIR channels are now accessible through the NewsonAIR mobile app. To further strengthen reach, 59 new FM transmitters have been approved under the scheme.

    In parallel, Prasar Bharati has entered the OTT space with Waves, launched in 2024. The digital platform aggregates infotainment, news, education and cultural content, and integrates feeds from Doordarshan and AIR. Officials say Waves is helping extend public broadcasting to younger, mobile-first audiences and to Indians overseas.

    The Bind scheme, covering all states, represents an attempt to reposition public service broadcasting in a hyper-fragmented media market.

    For New Delhi, the strategy is as much about access as it is about influence — ensuring that public broadcasting reaches underserved communities while competing with private players on technology and content.

     

  • Colors Rishtey back on DD FreeDish, bringing TV classics to the masses

    Colors Rishtey back on DD FreeDish, bringing TV classics to the masses

    MUMBAI: Hold onto your remotes, India! JioStar’s Colors Rishtey has slithered back onto DD FreeDish, popping up on channel 50. After a three-year hiatus, the channel is returning with iconic shows, all for free, kicking off on 1 April That’s no April fool’s joke.

    The channel management has lined up a string of  its hit soaps  and drama series in the hope of pulling in the eyeballs.. Expect the serpentine shenanigans of Naagin, starring Mouni Roy and Arjun Bijlaani, and Naagin – Insaaf Ki Jung,  featuring Surbhi Jyoti, Anita Hassanandani, and Karishma Tanna. Family feuds and kitchen sink dramas abound in Sasural Simar Ka, with Avika Gor and Dipika Kakar, and Sasural Simar Ka – Ek Naya Adhyay,  starring Radhika Muthukumar and Avinash Mukherjee. For a dose of social drama, there’s Doree, featuring Amar Upadhya and Sudha Chandran, and for a laugh, Khatra Khatra Khatra, with Haarsh Limbachiyaa and Bharti Singh. And for those seeking a touch of the divine, Mahakali-Ant Hi Arambh Hein and Mahaveer Hanuman are on hand to deliver some timeless devotional sagas.

    Colors Rishtey head of linear TV business Arnab Das is over the moon. “We’re thrilled to reintroduce the magic of iconic shows, all for free!” he exclaimed. “We’re bringing back the golden days of TV – full of drama, family stories, and moments that everyone in the family can enjoy.”

    The return of Colors Rishtey is a major win for DD FreeDish viewers, who’ve been missing their fix of classic television. Now, they can settle in for hours of free entertainment, proving that even in the age of streaming, good old-fashioned television still packs a punch. It’s a proper telly tale. 

  • 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.
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    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.

  • 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)

  • 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. 

  • Prasar Bharati invites applications for allotment of MPEG-4 Slots on DD Freedish DTH platform

    Prasar Bharati invites applications for allotment of MPEG-4 Slots on DD Freedish DTH platform

    Mumbai: Prasar Bharati has announced the opening of applications for the allocation of vacant MPEG-4 slots on the DD Freedish DTH platform for the period from 1 August 2024, to 21 March 2025.

    The 80th e-auction for these slots is tentatively scheduled for 24 July 2024.

    The e-auction will be open to channels of all genres and languages, with a reserve price set at Rs 1,34,49,000. This auction will follow the e-auction methodology for the allocation of DD Freedish slots to private TV channels, as outlined by Prasar Bharati on 27 January 2023, and amended on 13 December 2023. Details can be found on the Prasar Bharati website.

    Prasar Bharati has stated in its notice that interested broadcasters should apply online at https://fdslots.prasarbharati.org, where they must upload all required documents as specified in the application.

    Applicants must pay a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 25,000 online through the portal. Additionally, a participation fee of Rs 10,00,000 is required, which must be paid via demand draft.

    Unsuccessful bidders will receive a refund of the participation fee within three weeks following the e-auction results. Successful bidders will be issued a ‘Letter of Allotment’ by Prasar Bharati after the auction.

    The e-auction for the vacant DD Freedish MPEG-2 slots, initially scheduled for 16 July 2024, has been rescheduled to 24 July 2024, according to sources close to the development who informed BestMediaInfo.com.

    Applications for these slots were opened by Prasar Bharati on July 8, 2024, for the period from 24 July 2024, to 31 March 2025. The deadline for submitting applications, initially set for 15 July has now been extended to 23 July 2024.

  • TRAI’s DD FreeDish recommendations draw industry flak

    TRAI’s DD FreeDish recommendations draw industry flak

    Mumbai: Industry watchdog – the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)  – has bowled another bouncer at the Indian broadcasting sector by recommending tight – and many say impossible deadlines – deadlines for the Prasar Bharti owned DTH operator DD FreeDish.

    In its latest round of recommendations, the TRAI has asked it to stop selling non-addressable set top boxes for DD FreeDish by 1 January 2025. The public service broadcaster has been selling these for more than a decade and more than 45 million homes have them. The regulator has advised DD FreeDish to  replace them with indigenously-developed STBs and addressability built in by an organisation such as C-DoT. An additional caveat that has been mentioned is that the boxes should be inter-operable with those of other cable TV netwoks and DTH platforms. It has stated that even private cable TV networks and DTH operators should also take the inter-operable STB route.

    The authority has also asked it to start encrypting all private channels on its platform by 1 April 2025, followed by all DD, education, and radio channels within four years.

    “This is madness,” said a senior legal counsel at a major broadcasting network. “Does the TRAI know what it is doing? Where are the chips available? The circuits? And inter-operability – which developed market has inter-operable STBs between cable TV and DTH? Each player has his own CAS? I am sure this is going to be challenged very shortly. “

    Another broadcasting executive added: “The recommendations make it appear as if the TRAI wanted to placate the DPOs who have been demanding a level playing field between DD and the encrypted platforms. Please check whether  DD and Prasar Bharti expected things to go in the direction that TRAI has said. I don’t expect the recommendations to be implemented in my lifetime.”

    (Indiantelevision.com had managed to get only the private sector’s viewpoint and had not managed to get through to either TRAI or Prasar Bharti at the time of writing.)

  • Commonwealth Games 2022 to air exclusively on DD Sports

    Commonwealth Games 2022 to air exclusively on DD Sports

    Mumbai: Doordarshan Sports began to bring all the action live from the 2022 Commonwealth Games ground till the end of the 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games.

    DD Sports began broadcasting on 28 July 2022, with the grand opening ceremony at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium. An Indian contingent of 215 sportspeople is competing in 16 sports categories. Because multiple tournaments are taking place at different venues at the same time, the DD Sports broadcast includes extensive coverage of the various events at the games, with a primary focus on all India-related matches, activities, and participation.

    Every day, the broadcast on DD Sports begins at 12 p.m (IST) and continues until the end of the event. DD Sports’ daily broadcast also includes a half-hour pre-show with sports experts and journalists who provide insight into the day’s events. DD Sports anchors provide viewers with information about upcoming events during the day’s breaks.

    Apart from the live broadcast on the DD Sports channel, All India Radio, DD Sports, and All India Radio Sports Twitter handles provide regular updates on the ground.

    72 nations are participating in the Commonwealth Games 2022 being held in Birmingham, England.

  • The Q announces its first TV original ‘Crime Aur Kanoon’

    The Q announces its first TV original ‘Crime Aur Kanoon’

    Mumbai: We often hear of a common phrase, ‘Police walo ki na dosti achi hai na dushmani’ (It’s neither good to be friends or an enemy with a policeman). However, when the two come together, their relationship gets even more exciting. It is this theme that Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC), The Q is set to explore in its first TV original – Crime Aur Kanoon, that was announced on Tuesday, further to the channel’s launch on DD FreeDish.

    Crime Aur Kanoon is The Q’s first original crime fiction show that will premiere on television on 21 August.

    The show will include several modern age crime stories. With renowned actor Kinshuk Vaidya as the host, it will take viewers through strange and intriguing cases with every episode. Each episode will create awareness about the heinous crimes being committed in society ranging from common day-to-day identifiable situations to more complex situations such as cybercrimes, online frauds, and much more.

    Commenting on the launch of the channel’s first original, The Q, chief executive officer, Simran Hoon said, “At The Q, we endeavor to keep our audience engaged with content across varied genres. With an entry into the crime fiction genre with our first TV original after The Q’s presence on DD FreeDish and other DTH and cable TV services, we aim to further strengthen our programming slate and consolidate our position. We look forward to creating thrill and excitement for our audiences with the launch of Crime Aur Kanoon.”

    The Q, programming head, Tanya Shukla said, “With our new show Crime Aur Kanoon, we aim to educate young India about the myriad of crimes being committed nowadays. More importantly, staying true to our brand promise to provide young Indian creators and talent a larger platform, Crime Aur Kanoon will open up an exciting new avenue for us at The Q to drive engagement with our viewers and the audience, thereby allowing them to be a part of the show. We are extremely excited about our upcoming show and look forward to introducing more original content that appeals to our viewers.”

    With the entire family staying home amidst the unprecedented situation, The Q’s upcoming content backed with a unique storyline and curious moments, promises to give the audience a thrilling experience with Crime Aur Kanoon.

    The Q India is an advertiser and influencer marketing-supported Hindi language content brand, channel, and VOD provider delivering digital programming from social media stars and digital video creators targeting young Indian audiences. According to the channel, it has reached an audience of over 712 million via 100 million television homes with partners including DD Free Dish, TATA Sky, DISH TV, and Siti Networks; 380 million OTT users via platforms including ShemarooMe, MX Player, ZEE5, and Dish Watcho; and 232 million users on mobile and digital platforms including Snap, JioTV, Airtel Xstream, Amazon Fire TV, Chingari and Samsung TV Plus.

  • Q India hits goal of 100 Million TV homes

    Q India hits goal of 100 Million TV homes

    MUMBAI: QYOU Media Inc., (TSXV: QYOU; OTCQB: QYOUF) has announced that The Q India, the company’s Hindi language youth oriented channel available in and on over 700 million homes and devices in India, has reached its 2021 goal of distribution to 100 Million TV Households as a result of launching on both DD Free Dish & Dish TV in April. The Q India has now gone live to 50 million additional TV homes in the month of April placing it in a position to challenge leading youth oriented channels and brands in the country that previously had significantly higher numbers of homes reached. The company issued a press release on 1 March 2021 in connection with the new DD Free Dish (Channel 34) agreement. The new distribution relationship with DISH TV (Channel 128) has not been previously disclosed.

    QYOU Media India co-founder & general manager Sunder Aaron said, “2021 continues to be a year where The Q India is accelerating the depth and breadth of our foundation for becoming a mainstream brand and media company in India.  We have stated our goal of being a leading youth brand in India and distribution agreements like these are a key to making that happen. In addition, these are critically important building blocks as we pursue growing ratings and the ensuing revenue that will occur”.

    The Q India is an advertiser and influencer marketing supported Hindi language content brand, channel and VOD provider delivering hit digital programming from social media stars and leading digital video creators targeting Young Indian audiences.  The channel has recently become one of India’s fastest growing youth entertainment brands reaching 4.4 Gross Rating Points (GRP) on BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) in February 2021. With a growing library of over 850 programs, and beginning in April with the addition of DD Free Dish, the channel will reach an audience of over 712 million via 100 million television homes with partners including DD Free Dish, TATA Sky, DISH TV and SitiNetworks; 380 million OTT users via platforms including ShemarooMe, MX Player, ZEE5, and Dish Watcho; and 232 million users on mobile and digital platforms including Snap, JioTV, Airtel Xstream, Amazon Fire TV, Chingari and Samsung TV Plus.