Mumbai: The second day of Prasar Bharati’s MPEG-2 slot e-auction saw strong bidding activity, with A+ category slots fetching between ₹17 crore and ₹18.6 crore. Despite competitive bidding, industry insiders suggest the overall auction performance reflects a more balanced market, with broadcasters exercising caution in their spending.
Key Bidders and Slot Prices
Among the major participants:
- Zee Entertainment secured two slots for ₹18.6 crore and ₹17.25 crore.
- Star India acquired a slot at ₹18.25 crore.
- In the A category (Movie Channels), six slots were auctioned, with prices ranging from ₹15.6 crore to ₹18.3 crore. Sources indicate that some of these slots were won by Star Utsav Movies, Sony Wah, and Zee Anmol Cinema.
Despite the strong demand for top-tier slots, industry sources indicate that the auction saw a “bad show” overall, signaling a shift in market dynamics.
Broadcasters Exercising Caution amid Revenue pressure
Insiders suggest that the television industry is undergoing significant changes:
- Declining TV revenues are making broadcasters more cautious with their Free Dish investments.
- OTT platforms and free online content are reducing the return on investment (ROI) for DD Free Dish slots.
- A perception that slots are now more readily available has reduced their competitive value.
With the A and A+ category auctions now concluded, attention now turns to Category B slots, which will open for bidding on Wednesday.
Despite earlier speculation about broadcasters exiting DD Free Dish, the auction confirms their continued interest. JioStar, Zee, Sony, Sun TV Network, and Star India have actively participated, securing slots at competitive prices.
Previously, these broadcasters had classified their General Entertainment Channels (GECs) as pay channels in their revised Reference Interconnect Offers (RIOs). However, under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s new directive, any channel opting for Free Dish must also be free-to-air (FTA) across all platforms.
As the e-auction progresses, industry players will closely monitor how demand shapes up for Category B slots, which include music, sports, and Bhojpuri-language channels.
