The notice issued by Prasar Bharati on July 9, 2026, invites applications from private satellite TV channels for the period commencing July 23, 2026, and ending March 31, 2027. This mid-year auction, tentatively scheduled for July 16, 2026, presents a significant chance for networks to tap into the massive viewership of DD Free Dish.
Categorisation and Reserve Prices
To ensure a diverse and structured offering, The Prasar Bharati has categorized channels into specific buckets based on their genre and language. Each bucket comes with a designated starting reserve price:
- Bucket A+: GEC (Hindi/Urdu) Channels – Starting at Rs. 11.21 Crores
- Bucket A: Movie (Hindi/Urdu) Channels – Starting at Rs. 9.00 Crores
- Bucket B: Music, Sports (Hindi/Urdu), and Bhojpuri Channels – Starting at Rs. 7.04 Crores
- Bucket C: News & Current Affairs (Hindi/Urdu) Channels – Starting at Rs. 5.62 Crores
- Bucket D: Devotional, Regional (Marathi & Punjabi), English News, and newly launched regional channels – Starting at Rs. 4.86 Crores
Strict Adherence to Genre and Language
The notice strongly emphasises the importance of accurate genre and language classification. Broadcasters are required to provide clear proof supporting their channel's category. Prasar Bharati has outlined strict guidelines, stating that the content of the declared genre and language must constitute at least 60% of the entire content broadcast in a month. Violations could lead to show-cause notices and potential discontinuation from the platform.
Key Dates and Requirements
Interested broadcasters must act quickly, as the deadline for submitting online applications and the mandatory participation fee (Rs. 1.5 Crores) is set for July 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Applications must be submitted through the official portal (https://fdslots.prasarbharati.org), and a non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 25,000/- is also required.
The process includes an online training session for eligible participants before the actual e-auction begins. Successful bidders will then proceed with signing agreements and making the necessary payments as per the prescribed schedule.
This 100th e-auction marks another significant step in Prasar Bharati's efforts to enrich the content available on DD Free Dish, ensuring it remains a vital source of entertainment and information for millions of households across the nation.
Important things -
Official portal - https://fdslots.prasarbharati.org
Non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 25,000
Broadcasting Period: From July 23, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
Auction date: Scheduled for July 16, 2026
Read the official Notification: Prasar Bharati Website