India’s largest free-to-air DTH platform has completed its 8th Annual MPEG-2 DD free dish auction 2026 for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. According to the official updates and the much-awaited DD free dish auction 2026 winner list, the platform sold 55 slots this year and generated ₹642 crore. This marks a decline compared to FY25-26, when 61 slots fetched ₹780 crore. The auction was conducted by Prasar Bharati, which continues to manage and operate the country’s largest free DTH service.
The numbers clearly show a year-on-year decline in both revenue and slot volume. But the full picture is more balanced — premium Hindi entertainment and movie channels continued to see strong demand, while some regional and niche broadcasters stayed away.
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Table of Contents
Complete Winner List (Effective 1 April 2026)
Here is the full list of 55 successful channels that will be available on DD Free Dish from 1 April 2026:
📰 Hindi News Channels
| Sl. No | Channel Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aaj Tak |
| 2 | ABP News |
| 3 | Good News Today |
| 4 | India TV |
| 5 | NDTV India |
| 6 | News18 India |
| 7 | News 24 Think First |
| 8 | News Nation |
| 9 | Republic TV Bharat |
| 10 | Times Now Navbharat |
| 11 | TV9 Bharatvarsh |
| 12 | Zee News |
| 13 | RT |
| 14 | PTC News |
🎬 Hindi Movies Channels
| Sl. No | Channel Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Action Cinema |
| 2 | All Time Movies |
| 3 | Anmol Cinema |
| 4 | Anmol Cinema 2 |
| 5 | B4U Kadak |
| 6 | B4U Movies |
| 7 | Bhojpuri Cinema |
| 8 | Colors Cineplex Bollywood |
| 9 | Colors Cineplex Superhits |
| 10 | Dangal 2 |
| 11 | Goldmines |
| 12 | Goldmines Bollywood |
| 13 | Goldmines Movies |
| 14 | Manoranjan Movies |
| 15 | Showbox |
| 16 | Sony Wah |
| 17 | Star Utsav Movies |
| 18 | Zee Biskope |
📺 Hindi GEC / Entertainment Channels
| Sl. No | Channel Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Anmol TV |
| 2 | Colors Rishtey |
| 3 | Dangal |
| 4 | Manoranjan Grand |
| 5 | Manoranjan TV |
| 6 | Nazara |
| 7 | Shemaroo TV |
| 8 | Shemaroo Umang |
| 9 | Sony Pal |
| 10 | Star Utsav |
| 11 | Sun Neo |
| 12 | The Q |
| 13 | Unique TV |
| 14 | B4U Music |
🙏 Devotional Channels
| Sl. No | Channel Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aastha |
| 2 | Sadhna Gold |
| 3 | Sanskar |
🌍 Regional Channels
| Sl. No | Channel Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fakt Marathi |
| 2 | Sun Marathi |
| 3 | Shemaroo Josh |
| 4 | GTC Punjabi |
| 5 | PTC Punjabi |
| 6 | B4U Bhojpuri |
Channels Not Available from 1 April 2026
The following channels did not secure slots and are expected to be unavailable:
- Big Magic
- Filamchi Bhojpuri
- India News
- Bharat Express
- Movie Plex Maithili
- TV9 Marathi
- Shemaroo Marathibana
- Zee Chitra Mandir
- Satsang TV
Also Read: Steel Authority of India Limited Backs ‘Decode with Sudhir Chaudhary’ on DD News
Revenue Trend Analysis of DD Free Dish Auctions (FY24–FY27)
The revenue performance of DD Free Dish, operated by Prasar Bharati, shows a clear correction cycle over the last three financial years.
| Financial Year | Slots Sold | Revenue Generated |
|---|---|---|
| FY 2024-25 | 64 | ₹1,070 crore (approx.) |
| FY 2025-26 | 61 | ₹780 crore |
| FY 2026-27 | 55 | ₹642 crore |
From FY24-25 to FY25-26
Revenue dropped sharply from around ₹1,070 crore to ₹780 crore — a decline of nearly 27%.
This was the first major correction after very aggressive bidding cycles in earlier years.
From FY25-26 to FY26-27
Revenue further declined from ₹780 crore to ₹642 crore — about 18% fall year-on-year.
However, this year’s drop is more linked to:
- Fewer slots (55 vs 61 vs 64 earlier)
- Revised auction methodology
- Stricter eligibility norms
Despite the decline, DD Free Dish still remains one of India’s most powerful free-to-air satellite platforms with over 40 million homes.
What Does This Trend Indicate?
- The market is moving away from speculative and aggressive bidding toward realistic valuations.
- Hindi GEC, movies and news continue to attract strong interest. Demand hasn’t disappeared — it has normalised.
- Smaller Marathi, Bhojpuri, and devotional channels are finding it harder to justify higher reserve prices.
- Broadcasters are balancing investments between:
- Free-to-air satellite
- Pay TV
- OTT platforms
What Does This Mean for Prasar Bharati?
1. Short-Term Revenue Dip, Not a Crisis
Auction revenue from DD Free Dish has fallen to ₹642 crore, which means lower annual surplus compared to previous years. Since slot auctions are a major non-tax revenue source, this impacts short-term earnings.
However, ₹642 crore is still a strong figure and keeps the platform financially stable.
2. Stronger & More Stable Platform
The new auction rules reduce speculative bidding, filter out weak players, and lower payment default risks.
This makes revenue more predictable and improves long-term financial discipline.
3. Slight Impact on Content Mix
Some regional and niche channels have exited, which may slightly reduce language diversity.
But major Hindi GEC, movie and news networks remain committed, protecting viewership scale.
4. Better Long-Term Positioning
By tightening norms, Prasar Bharati is sending a clear message:
- Only serious broadcasters will participate
- Pricing will be sustainable
- Long-term stability matters more than short-term spikes
The revenue drop affects short-term earnings but does not weaken DD Free Dish’s market power. With over 40 million homes — especially across rural and Bharat markets — the platform remains one of India’s strongest free-to-air distribution networks for advertisers and broadcasters alike.
Does This Affect Viewers?
Not significantly.
- Over 40 million homes still receive Free Dish
- Major Hindi news, GEC and movie channels remain
- Core mass-market offering stays intact
The platform continues to dominate rural and price-sensitive markets.
Summing Up
The FY26-27 DD Free Dish auction shows a mixed trend — lower revenue but strong demand for premium Hindi entertainment and movies. Bigger networks remain committed, while some regional players have stepped back due to stricter norms.
The coming year will reveal whether this revenue moderation is just a temporary correction or a sign of changing broadcaster strategy in the digital era.
Also Read: DD Free Dish 2026 Auction Shock: Top Channels Win Slots But Bids Fall Below 2025
