The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a fresh demand notice to Dish TV India, seeking
payment of ₹6,735.67 crore towards licence fees, including accrued interest.
This demand covers the period from the grant of Dish TV’s DTH licence up to the financial year 2023-24, as disclosed in the company’s FY25 results. The move reignites a long-standing dispute over the computation of DTH licence fees that remains unresolved in the courts.
Dish TV has been contesting the validity, computation, and interest calculations of the licence fees under the
DTH regulations since 2015, with a writ petition pending before the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The core of the dispute lies in the 8% annual licence fee levied on Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), a definition the company contests.
The complexity of the issue increased following Dish TV’s merger with Videocon d2h in 2017-18, which had a similar pending case. Other DTH providers also have related writs pending before the Supreme Court.
In its FY25 report, Dish TV stated that it has maintained a provision of ₹4,612.69 crore (up from ₹4,359.43 crore
in FY24) in its accounts, primarily accounting for interest charges related to this ongoing dispute.
Despite the legal battle, the MIB’s recent notice, dated April 22, 2025, demands the substantial payment, although the ministry acknowledged that the figure is subject to reconciliation based on the outcome of a CAG audit and the pending court decisions. Dish TV has formally disputed this demand, maintaining its legal position remains strong.
The company reported a revenue of ₹1,593.95 crore in FY25, a 15% decrease from the previous year. It also posted a loss of ₹487.6 crore, reduced from ₹1966 crore in FY24 due to a deferred tax credit. Dish TV emphasized that it continues to operate with no debt, healthy cash flows, and a stable outlook, supporting its status as a going concern.
Summary:-
● The Ministry of I&B has demanded ₹6,735.67 crore from Dish TV towards DTH licence fees up to FY24,
including interest.
● Dish TV has been disputing the licence fee computation since 2015, with a case pending in the Jammu &
Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
● The company has made a provision of ₹4,612.69 crore in its books regarding this ongoing dispute.
● Despite the demand, Dish TV maintains its legal position is strong and continues to operate with no debt
and stable cash flows.
