NBDA urges more slots, fairer pricing for news channels on DD Free Dish

The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) has called on Prasar Bharati to increase the number of slots available for news channels on DD Free Dish to at least 14, and to reconsider the reserve price of Rs 7 crore set for the news category. The association argued that news broadcasters play an essential public service role in informing citizens and should not be treated solely as commercial players.

The remarks were made in response to Prasar Bharati’s consultation on the e-auction methodology for allocating slots on the DD Free Dish direct-to-home platform. NBDA said its objective was to help build an auction system that is fair, transparent and balanced, while also supporting the growth of the service.

NBDA recommended that Prasar Bharati publish key details before any auction begins, including the total number of slots available, the number left before each round, and a complete list of applicants by category. It also suggested releasing a final list of eligible and ineligible applicants.

The association argued that this would create a level playing field for all participants. At present, it said, a lack of information leads to uncertainty and speculative bidding. Greater transparency, NBDA maintained, would reduce unfair practices and build trust in the process.

It further stressed that no applicant should be rejected in the middle of an auction, with all screening and eligibility checks completed beforehand.

NBDA noted that historically 12–13 news channels have been carried on DD Free Dish and recommended that this figure be raised to at least 14 MPEG-2 slots. While news channels account for around 40 per cent of all TV channels permitted for downlinking by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, their share on Free Dish remains lower. Allocating more slots, it said, would correct this imbalance, reduce artificially inflated auction prices and give viewers wider access to diverse perspectives.The association also said the current reserve price of Rs 7 crore for news channels under Bucket C is too high, adding that treating them as purely commercial entities overlooks their role in strengthening democracy.NBDA warned that high auction costs place news broadcasters under financial pressure at a time when they already face rising expenses and weaker advertising revenues. The Free Dish bidding process, it said, also prompts private distributors to raise carriage fees by using auction prices as a benchmark.

The body recommended that Prasar Bharati expand DD Free Dish’s channel capacity, particularly for MPEG-2 slots, which are compatible with all set-top boxes. It suggested two options: adding a new transport stream and converting some of the more than 25 unused MPEG-4 slots to MPEG-2.

NBDA also called for a scientific study to measure actual Free Dish viewership, especially in rural and remote areas. Such data, it argued, would help both broadcasters and advertisers in planning and investment decisions.

It requested that Prasar Bharati publish a draft of the revised e-auction policy, with an explanatory note, and invite stakeholder feedback before finalising the rules. It also urged that a meeting be held to discuss the proposed changes.

Finally, NBDA said news channels should be grouped together in a dedicated cluster on the DD Free Dish platform, making them easier for viewers to find.