Prasar Bharati Expands DD Free Dish with Regional Language Channels in Pilot Programme

Prasar Bharati's 93rd allotment cycle marks a significant step in strengthening regional media representation on DD Free Dish. The public broadcaster has opened free MPEG-4 capacity to address longstanding gaps in linguistic diversity, with the pilot programme running until March 31, 2026.

The initiative prioritises regional news channels and public-interest content, requiring broadcasters to demonstrate solid operational track records and programming credentials. This approach ensures that the platform maintains quality standards while expanding access for under-served markets.

The successful bidders span multiple language regions - from Kannada and Malayalam in the south to Bengali channels in the east, Marathi and Gujarati in the west, and Punjabi representation in the north. This geographic and linguistic spread reflects a deliberate effort to make DD Free Dish a truly pan-Indian platform that serves diverse audiences.

As India's media consumption landscape continues to evolve, this pilot programme underscores the importance of free-to-air distribution in enabling regional broadcasters to reach nationwide audiences without carriage fees. The initiative will be reviewed at the end of the 2025-26 financial year.