**Policy Summary: Encouraging South Indian Language Channels on DD Free Dish**
This policy addresses measures to expand the reach and representation of South Indian language channels on DD Free Dish, the free-to-air Direct-to-Home platform of Prasar Bharati. The policy acknowledges the importance of DD Free Dish in disseminating government programs and public awareness campaigns, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.
**Key Data & Trends:**
* **Subscriber Base:** DD Free Dish has experienced consistent growth, reaching an estimated 49 million households nationwide in 2024, compared to 33 million in 2018.
* **Government Programs:** Government flagship schemes are broadcast through national and regional Doordarshan channels on DD Free Dish.
* **South Indian Language Channel Onboarding:** Since April 1, 2025, TV9 Telugu, Aastha Kannada, and Aastha Telugu have been added to DD Free Dish. Doordarshan's regional channels (DD Tamil, DD Saptagiri, DD Chandana, DD Yadagiri, and DD Malayalam) are also available. 27 educational channels relay programs in various South Indian languages.
**Government Initiatives:**
* **Slot Reservation:** Slots have been reserved for South Indian language channels in DD Free Dish platform e-auctions (2025) for better regional representation.
* **Simplified Eligibility:** Eligibility norms have been simplified to encourage greater participation from private broadcasters in the southern region.
* **Dedicated Slots:** Dedicated slots were offered for Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam channels in recent e-auctions.
* **Technological Upgradation and Promotion:** Doordarshan's regional channels are being technologically upgraded and better promoted.
Key Entities Referenced
DD Free Dish: The freetoair FTA DirectToHome DTH platform of Prasar Bharati.
Prasar Bharati: Organization that owns the DD Free Dish platform.
South India: The region of India comprising the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Doordarshan: Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati.
DD Tamil: Doordarshan's Tamil language regional channel.
DD Saptagiri: Doordarshan's Telugu language regional channel.
DD Chandana: Doordarshan's Kannada language regional channel.
DD Malayalam: Doordarshan's Malayalam language regional channel.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 607
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025)
ENCOURAGING SOUTH INDIAN LANGUAGE CHANNELS
607. DR. BYREDDY SHABARI:
SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of subscriber base of DD Free Dish in the
country during the last five years, State-wise along with
trends observed during the said period;
(b) the details of Government programmes broadcast through
DD Free Dish along with their State-wise viewership;
(c) whether the Government acknowledges the challenges in
expanding the reach of DD Free Dish in South India and if
so, the details of specific factors contributing to these
challenges; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to encourage South
Indian language channels to secure slots on DD Free Dish
and the results achieved through these measures?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (d): DD Free Dish is the free-to-air (FTA) Direct-To-Home (DTH)
platform of Prasar Bharati. Its footprint spans the entire country,
including remote, border, and otherwise inaccessible areas.
Government flagship schemes and public awareness campaigns are
disseminated through programs on various national & regional
channels of Doordarshan on DD Free Dish.
It has experienced consistent growth in its reach over the past few
years. As per industry estimates, DD Free Dish reaches approximately
49 million households nationwide as of 2024. The figure was 33 million
in 2018, signifying the positive audience growth.
The Government has taken various proactive measures to increase the
representation of South Indian language channels on DD Free Dish,
including:
● For better regional representation, slots had been reserved for
South Indian language channels in the e-auctions of DD Free Dish
platform (done in 2025)
● Eligibility norms have been simplified to ensure greater
participation from private broadcasters in the southern region● Furthermore, dedicated slots were offered for Tamil, Telugu,
Kannada, and Malayalam channels in recent e-auctions.
● Three additional South Indian language private channels viz. TV9
Telugu, Aastha Kannada & Aastha Telugu, have been onboarded
on DD Free Dish since 01.04.2025.
Doordarshan's own regional channels, such as DD Tamil, DD Saptagiri,
DD Chandana, DD Yadagiri, and DD Malayalam have also been
onboarded. The channels are being technologically upgraded and
better promoted to enhance their visibility.
Apart from this, there are 27 educational channels on DD Free Dish,
which are relaying programs in various South Indian languages.
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