New Delhi: Prasar Bharati has opened applications for the 100th e-auction of vacant MPEG-2 slots on DD Free Dish, with bidding tentatively scheduled for July 16, 2026.
Successful channels will be allotted slots on a pro-rata basis from July 23, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Broadcasters have until 3 pm on July 15 to submit their applications and proof of payment.
The auction will follow a five-bucket pricing structure, with reserve prices ranging from Rs 4.87 crore to Rs 11.22 crore. Hindi and Urdu general entertainment channels under Bucket A+ carry the highest starting price at Rs 11.22 crore, followed by Hindi and Urdu movie channels in Bucket A at Rs 9.01 crore.
Bucket B, covering Hindi and Urdu music and sports channels, Bhojpuri channels and other remaining Hindi and Urdu genres, has a reserve price of Rs 7.04 crore. Hindi and Urdu news and current affairs channels under Bucket C will start at Rs 5.63 crore.
The lowest reserve price of Rs 4.87 crore applies to Bucket D, which includes devotional, spiritual and Ayush channels; Marathi and Punjabi services; English news and current affairs channels; and eligible regional-language channels awaiting launch or relaunch.
The bidding framework restricts channels to rounds based on their classification. Lower-priced categories can participate in their designated and subsequent eligible rounds, while channels in higher-priced buckets cannot move into cheaper categories. Bucket A+ channels, for instance, can bid only in the opening round, while Bucket D channels are limited to the fifth round.
Alongside the auction, Prasar Bharati has introduced stricter scrutiny of broadcasters’ declared genre and language. Applicants must submit documentary evidence to support their classification. Existing channels can provide records from distribution platforms, regulators or television rating agencies, while yet-to-launch services must furnish material backing their proposed programming plans.
At least 75% of programming, after excluding the permitted share of advertisements and promotions, must conform to the channel’s declared genre and language. Effectively, the stated classification must account for at least 60% of the channel’s total monthly content.
Non-compliance could lead to a show-cause notice, a requirement to formally change the declared genre or language, or removal from DD Free Dish if the violation is not rectified.
Broadcasters seeking to participate must pay a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 25,000 and a participation fee of Rs 1.5 crore. Successful bidders will receive allotment letters and must execute agreements with Prasar Bharati within 15 days.
The notification also sets a 14.5% annual interest charge on delayed payments. Continued default could result in forfeiture of the participation fee and paid instalments, along with discontinuation from the platform.
Channels that fail to go live on their allotted slot within one month of the commencement date will automatically lose the allotment, with the participation fee and any instalments already deposited forfeited.
