Prasar Bharati invites under-represented regional language channels on DD Free Dish MPEG-4 vacant slots, free of cost till March 31, 2026

Prasar Bharati has issued a notification inviting applications for the allotment of vacant MPEG-4 slots on the new MPEG-4 test streams TS#7 and TS#8 of the DD Free Dish DTH Platform, free of cost on a pilot basis until March 31, 2026.

The invitation applies only to regional language satellite television channels permitted and licensed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), excluding Hindi and Urdu, and available to viewers continuously for the last three years in the declared genre and language.

5 channels acquire vacant MPEG-4 slots of DD Free Dish in 88th e-auction

According to the notification dated November 28, 2025, priority will be given to regional channels in under-represented languages on DD Free Dish- specifically Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bangla, Assamese and Odia. Regional news channels will receive preference over non-news regional channels.

Only companies holding valid permission from the Ministry of I&B can apply. Broadcasters must provide clear and unambiguous proof supporting their declared genre and language classification, failing which applications may be rejected. Channels must predominantly broadcast content in the declared genre and language- defined as at least 75% of monthly content (excluding advertisements and promos) and not less than 60% of the channel’s total monthly content.

In cases of violation, content recordings will be reviewed by a duly constituted committee, which may recommend issuance of a show-cause notice.

Defaulters may apply for a change in genre/language within the prescribed time frame under the E-auction Methodology 2025 (clause 5.11). If no request is filed, the channel may be discontinued for violating allotment terms.

Successful bidders from any auction for 2025–26 are not eligible for this allotment.

Selection will be based on universally acceptable verifiable viewership data such as BARC for the previous six weeks and the channel’s DAVP rate card, with each carrying equal 50% weightage. The number of channels selected will be limited to the available vacant MPEG-4 slots on TS#7/TS#8.

Applications must be submitted online at https://fdslots.prasarbharati.org/, with required documents listed in Annexure-1. After submitting the online application, physical documents (if any) must be delivered in sealed cover to the Deputy Director (Platforms), by December 10, 2025 (Wednesday) at 3:00 PM.

Prasar Bharati reserves the right to accept, reject, amend or cancel the allotment process at any stage. A Letter of Allotment will be issued to selected channels along with a prescribed agreement format. Channels must submit two signed original copies of the agreement within 10 days of receiving the letter. Selected channels will be placed on vacant Logical Channel Numbers (LCNs) of TS#7/TS#8 and must provide an IRD Box with dual IP multicast output and SDI at least one week in advance at Doordarshan’s DTH station in Todapur, New Delhi, along with satellite parameters and technical details.

Prasar Bharati invites applications for vacant MPEG-4 slots on DD Free Dish via 88th e-auction

If a channel fails to place itself on the allotted slot within one month of the commencement date, the allotment will stand cancelled automatically. Premature withdrawal or termination of contract will result in forfeiture of slot rights.

Documents required for online application in PDF format include: Downlink permission issued by Ministry of I&B; Uplink permission (if uplinked from India); Copy of channel logo permitted by MIB (including full permission chain for name/logo changes); Documentary evidence of presence on DTH/MSOs for last three years along with declared Genre & Language certificate from platform operator; Documents supporting Language & Genre classification (MIB/TRAI evidence, BARC six-week data, DAVP rate card); and Programme Content Schedule/Fixed Point Chart (Sept–Nov 2025 actuals, Dec 2025–Feb 2026 proposed).