New Delhi: Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has pushed back the deadline for linear satellite television channels to apply for distribution on its OTT platform, WAVES, giving broadcasters time until March 31, 2026 (5 pm) to submit applications.
The extension, announced on February 19, refers to the original November 17, 2025 invitation that sought applications from permitted and licensed satellite TV channels for onboarding onto the state-run streaming service. Prasar Bharati clarified that all submissions received during the intervening period will remain valid and be evaluated under the same process.
Eligibility and application process
The offer is open to satellite television channels holding valid Ministry of Information and Broadcasting permissions for downlinking and distribution in India, with applications restricted to entities applying for their own licensed channels. Interested broadcasters must email completed forms and supporting documents to [email protected] by the revised deadline.
Applicants are required to submit documentary proof of their channel’s genre and language classification; entries may be rejected where classification details are unclear or inconsistent.
Commercial terms and ranking criteria
Under the framework, selected channels will be streamed on WAVES for one year from the date of onboarding. Channels will be ranked within their categories based on DAVP rate cards, with priority given to the highest advertising rate across time bands.
Prasar Bharati will carry the clean feed of successful channels and handle advertisement insertion on the platform. Net advertising revenue—after deducting costs such as transcoding, CDN charges and agency commissions—will be shared in a 65:35 ratio, with 65% accruing to the channel and 35% retained by Prasar Bharati.
Broadcasters must supply an SCTE-35 or ad-marker-enabled feed to signal ad breaks. Any unsold advertising inventory will be used for promotions of Prasar Bharati and the respective streaming channels.
Allotment timeline
Channels selected through the process will receive a Letter of Allotment and will be required to execute the agreement with Prasar Bharati within 15 days of issuance. All other terms from the November 17 notice remain unchanged, the broadcaster said.
