Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, has announced a new opportunity for private satellite TV channels to expand their reach through the widely accessed DD Free Dish platform. The broadcaster has invited applications for the allotment of vacant MPEG-2 slots on its free-to-air direct-to-home (DTH) service. This move is significant for broadcasters looking to tap into the vast viewership that DD Free Dish offers, particularly in regions with limited cable and other DTH penetration.
DD Free Dish has grown to become one of the largest DTH platforms in India, primarily due to its free-to-air nature, which eliminates monthly subscription fees for viewers. This affordability has made it a popular choice, especially in rural and underserved areas, providing access to television entertainment and information to millions of households. For broadcasters, securing a slot on DD Free Dish can translate to a substantial increase in viewership and advertising revenue.
Prasar Bharati is conducting this allotment of MPEG-2 slots through an e-auction process. This process ensures transparency and allows eligible private satellite TV channels to compete for these valuable slots. The auction is open to channels licensed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), ensuring that only authorized and legitimate broadcasters can participate. Companies holding valid permissions from the I&B Ministry are also eligible to apply.
The e-auction process involves certain financial commitments from participating channels. Broadcasters are required to pay a non-refundable processing fee along with a participation fee. These fees are part of the mechanism to ensure serious participation and commitment from the bidding channels.
To ensure a fair and organized allocation, Prasar Bharati categorizes TV channels into different buckets based on their genre and language. This categorization helps in determining the reserve price for each slot and ensures that a diverse range of content is available on the DD Free Dish platform.
Channels are classified into categories such as General Entertainment Channels (GECs), movie channels, news and current affairs channels, music and sports channels, and other genres. This classification also takes into account the language of the channel, including Hindi, Urdu, and regional languages. Broadcasters must clearly declare the genre and language of their channel during the application process.
This initiative by Prasar Bharati presents a significant opportunity for private satellite TV channels to enhance their reach and connect with a large audience across India. By securing a slot on DD Free Dish, broadcasters can expand their viewership base, increase their visibility, and potentially attract more advertisers. This can be particularly beneficial for smaller and regional channels looking to gain a national presence.
The auction of MPEG-2 slots on DD Free Dish is a crucial development in the Indian television broadcasting landscape. It reflects Prasar Bharati’s ongoing efforts to provide a platform for diverse content and cater to the evolving needs of Indian viewers.
Key Highlights:
- Prasar Bharati has invited applications for MPEG-2 slots on DD Free Dish.
- The allotment of slots will be done through an e-auction process.
- Channels are categorized based on genre and language.
- This initiative offers broadcasters a chance to expand their reach across India.