NDTV India, Republic Bharat, News18, and ABP News secure top slots in DD FreeDish e-auction

The latest DD FreeDish e-auction has seen intense competition among leading Hindi news channels, with NDTV India securing the top slot for Rs.14.35 crore, followed closely by Republic Bharat at Rs.14.20 crore, News18 India with Rs. 14.10. crore, and ABP News also made a strong bid, securing the fourth position with Rs.14.00 crore, according to industry sources.

The annual auction, conducted by Prasar Bharati, plays a crucial role in determining which private broadcasters get access to DD FreeDish, India’s largest free-to-air (FTA) DTH platform. The fierce bidding underscores the growing significance of FreeDish, particularly in rural and semi-urban markets where millions rely on free television services.

With no monthly subscription fee, DD FreeDish has become a vital medium for news dissemination, entertainment, and public engagement. Channels that secure top slots benefit from massive reach, making the platform a highly coveted space for broadcasters. The revenue generated from this auction will further boost Prasar Bharati’s efforts to expand and enhance the FreeDish network across India.

The competitive bidding process is still underway, with more channels expected to claim their slots in the coming days. As the battle for visibility intensifies, media experts predict that DD FreeDish will continue to shape India’s FTA television landscape, offering viewers a wide range of content without subscription costs.

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“This initiative will empower subscribers to pay online and subscribe to the channels they want to watch and get it activated on their TV sets in real-time without any delay. Without needing to undertake any software development, LMOs can approach Mobiezy for their pre-built and pre-integrated solution that uses NXTDigital’s news APIs and can be up and running with their own mobile apps within just a few days.”

RU Ediriwira, Group CTO, NXTDigital Limited

“With the launch of Partnership for Growth 3.0 we intend to expand our network with 40 new NXTHUBs, each offering up to 650 live TV channels and broadband. Our efforts are focused on harnessing the convergence of technologies, developing robust apps and creating new business models that will help the overall ecosystem, delivering the best experience to our subscribers. We hope to achieve a stronger foothold in the rural regions of the country and grow our subscriber base.”

N.K. Rouse, COO, NXT Digital Ltd

“One of the key principles of the Hinduja Group is ‘Partnership for Growth’. After 2.0 saw the launch of HITS to connect LMOs in even the most remote locations through the only satellite-based cable TV platform in India; 3.0 focuses not just on strengthening the overall ecosystem we have built, but harnessing the convergence of technologies – to be delivered through a national network of NXTHUBs. Video and broadband are only the beginning of the digital highway of services that we have developed for roll-out backed by a robust suite of innovative apps developed by service providers exclusively for our LMOs and subscribers.”

Vynsley Fernandes, MD & CEO, NXTDigital Limited

“Wireline broadband is becoming ever more important not only in connecting homes across the country but also small to large enterprises-to the digital economy. The NXTHUBs will be the perfect point-of-presence to offer broadband services to cater to these consumer needs.”

Yugal Kishore Sharma CEO, ONEOTT Intertainment Limited

Amazing and grim battle for survival. Guess it will end up in Supreme Court. All that NCLT asked Zee to do was to file a reply to Invesco petition for a EGM. Now this is getting too serious. So far Invesco has been hammered for demanding an EGM. What is Zee upto? Ofcourse my lawyer community knows better!